12/10/2015
NEWS STORY
Be it the thrills and (diesel) spills throughout the weekend, it's fair to say that this year's visit to Russia by the F1 circus was more eventful and entertaining than in 2014.
Internet scepticism aside, the grandstands that remained resolutely empty on Friday and Saturday were well populated on Sunday, official estimates placing the crowd at around 65,000.
Though many view the new addition to the calendar with trepidation, not helped by the fact that the event takes place on an uninspiring street track around in a former Winter Olympic venue - imagine F1 in and around Stratford High Street - organisers are determined not to stand still and aim to turn the event into something special.
"Our task is to make motorsport one of the leading sports in Russia," Sergey Vorobyev, deputy general director of organising company OJSC Center Omega, told BBC News. "Within five years we want to create a global, recognisable product that will become the hallmark of the country, and bring fans of all ages to the Sochi grandstands every year."
The main aim is to follow the example of Singapore and make the event a night race.
"We want to hold a night race, and it has already been discussed with Bernie Ecclestone," reveals Vorobyev. "The incredible sunsets and the stunning artificial lighting of the circuit will ensure any night or twilight race will look great."
On the edge of the Black Sea, Sochi's determination to make the race an event fans from around the world will want to travel to is aided by the 47,000 hotel rooms and an airport capable of handling up to 3,800 passengers per hour.
Currently, "for the most part, fans come to the race from Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the largest cities in Russia", admits Vorobyev, while "the Scandinavian peninsula and other northern countries have seen some of the best international ticket sales".
In its attempts to woo the fans, organisers have created two-day tickets aimed at those fans who are unable to attend on Friday and "more-affordable children's tickets" aimed at encouraging whole family groups.