Russia will be an interesting challenge for F1

Formula One teams and drivers have arrived in Sochi to have their first look at the circuit ahead of the inaugural Russian Grand Prix.

With this race the first F1 event to be held in Russia, all the work ahead of the Grand Prix has been in the simulators.

But no-one will really know what to expect until they hit the track.

One key aspect could be the tyres with Pirelli selecting the yellow marked soft tyre and the white medium Pirelli compound for the teams this weekend.

The Italian manufacturer are aiming for between two and three pit-stops, but its very much a jump into the unknown.

‘Russia is a key territory for Pirelli, along with all the major automotive companies in the world, so we are very much looking forward to Sochi and the first Russian Grand Prix, which is a significant milestone in the sport?s history.’ Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery told formula1.com.

‘From a tyre perspective it should be an interesting challenge; we?ve got a wide variety of corners that should test every aspect of performance. As has been the case at every grand prix this year, we?re aiming for between two and three pit stops per race and the nomination we have made reflects this.

‘In terms of overall tyre energy demands, Russia is somewhere in the middle, and measurements also indicate low-abrasion asphalt. Regarding the weather, initial forecasts suggest that conditions will be temperate. Going to a new circuit is always exciting and it?s only when we get there that we will have a complete idea of what to expect, so the work done in free practice will be particularly important for everyone.’