Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix venue Sochi nearing completion

Pit buildings and team facilities have also been constructed, with work now progressing onto the infrastructure needed to host F1.

The track, being created within the complex that will be used for the 2014 Winter Olympics, has been pencilled in for an October 19 race date next season.

"We're on schedule - not ahead, but not behind," Dmitry Erofeyev, head of promoter 'Formula Sochi' told AUTOSPORT.

"At the moment the pit buildings and team buildings have already been constructed, asphalt has been laid where possible, on almost two thirds of the lap.

"Works on the interior and infrastructure are ongoing."

Oleg Zabara, deputy general director of JSC Center Omega, the company responsible for the Sochi project, said the track was well on course for its October 2014 date given the current rate of progress,

"Formula One Management have set a preliminary date for the Russian Grand Prix," Zabara said, "[and] these dates are very well matched with our plans.

"Construction work is on schedule and preparation for our first F1 event won't stop even for a minute."

Aleksander Kabanovsky is editor of AUTOSPORT's Russian site