Tilke says Sochi ’on schedule’ for F1 debut

Russia is on track for its inaugural grand prix in October, according to track architect Hermann Tilke.

Amid reports the Sochi venue currently resembles a building site, promoter Oleg Zabara insisted recently that the circuit is in fact "91 per cent complete".

Indeed, a report by the German news agency DPA says that while "rubble, mud and tools" can be seen near the winter olympic park, so too can the "grandstands and (F1) buildings".

German Tilke, in charge of construction of almost all new F1 tracks in recent times, confirmed: "Everything is on schedule.

"There will be a very special and definitely unique atmosphere," he revealed.