Russian GP in 2014 Given Hope after Race Promoters & Russian Automobile Federation Strike Deal

The Russian Grand Prix promoters said on Monday they have reached an agreement and resolved their differences with the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF) concerning the staging of the next year’s event.

Last week the RAF official site announced that next year’s inaugural Russian Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi has been thrown into doubt over a dispute between the Russian Automobile ruling body and the race’s promoters.

But these issues are seemingly been resolved.

“We just couldn’t miss the chance to reach an agreement,” the Omega Centre company (promoters) general manager Oleg Zabara was quoted as saying by Sport Express daily. “We are really interested in a good partnership with the RAF for years.”

“We’re set to sign an official contract with RAF this week before sending an application to stage the 2014 race to the F1’s ruling body, the FIA. We’ve already reached the agreement, which we now need to formalise.”

Earlier the federation had said that as a result of the row they had missed the deadline to submit their application to stage the 2014 race with FIA, adding that the Sochi GP’s only chance of making next year’s calendar was for the RAF to persuade the FIA there was an important reason for missing the cut off point.

Last month, Sochi promoters announced October 19, 2014, as the proposed date for their first race to be staged at the venue set to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.