Sochi promoter admits night race possible

Russian grand prix promoter Sergei Vorobyov has admitted Sochi could switch to a night race format in the future.

Vorobyov travelled to Spa-Francorchamps for talks with Bernie Ecclestone, with the F1 supremo telling reporters that Russia’s switch to floodlit racing is a possibility for 2017.

"2017 is an optimistic scenario for the night race," Vorobyov said.

"Maybe it will be 2018, 2019, but I am sure that on October 11, the day of the (2015) grand prix, we will have more detail about our plans."

Vorobyov revealed that it is Ecclestone, the F1 chief executive, who is driving the concept of a Russian night race.

"Mr Ecclestone was very impressed with his view of the Olympic Park from a helicopter," he said. "So he expressed his desire to eventually see the Russian grand prix at night.

"We also like the idea and will calculate the economic component now," he added.