Kvyat: Russian GP move to St Petersburg could open race up

Daniil Kvyat is open to the idea of the Russian Grand Prix moving to St Petersburg from 2021, believing it could help make the race more accessible to fans.

Reports emerged ahead of last week’s race that it was likely to be the penultimate running at the Sochi Autodrom ahead of a move to a new, purpose-built circuit on the outskirts of St Petersburg.

Moving to St Petersburg for 2021 would align with F1 owner Liberty Media’s strategy of adding more ‘destination cities’ to the calendar.

Toro Rosso’s Kvyat – who is currently the only Russian driver on the F1 grid – said he would be open to the idea of moving the race to St Petersburg in order to open it up to more fans.

“I think as long as there is a race in Russia, I am up for it,” Kvyat said.

“Maybe it’s not a bad idea to have it closer to that region, where it’s more accessible to the people from Moscow, from St Petersburg.

“Maybe it will bring more spectators which is cool, and maybe also from Europe, from Finland, say, it’s a very popular sport there.

“It will be cool. Why not? It’s not a bad idea. Here is very nice, but who knows if there it could be even better?”

The loss of the Sochi Autodrom from the F1 calendar would come after seven seasons following the circuit’s opening back in 2014, months after the city hosted the Winter Olympics.

Sochi's existing F1 contract runs until 2025 after a new deal was signed two years ago in one of the final agreements under former CEO Bernie Ecclestone's stewardship.