On Sunday, Sochi hosted 2015 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix. Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the winners during the traditional podium ceremony after the race.
1/16
© AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin
Sunday’s race was the second F1 Grand Prix hosted in Russia.
Above: Performers wait for the beginning of an opening show before the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom.
Above: Performers wait for the beginning of an opening show before the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom.
The race was held in the resort city of Sochi, host of the 2014 Winter Olympics, at the Sochi Autodrom which passes around the venues of the Olympic Park.
Above: From left to right - Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo during qualifying for the F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: From left to right - Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo during qualifying for the F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
A total of 20 drivers representing 10 teams took part in the F1 championship.
Above: Drivers during the opening ceremony of the F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Drivers during the opening ceremony of the F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
The Sochi Autodrom is 5.848 kilometers (3,634 miles) long and has 19 turns. The maximum speed that can be achieved on the track is 320 kmh (199 mph).
Above: Drivers during the F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Drivers during the F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Grid girls during the driver presentation ceremony at the F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
According to the official calendar of the FIA, the Russia Grand Prix is the 15th of the 19 races of the F1 season. It was held on October 8-11.
Above: Mercedes AMG driver Nico Rosberg of Germany and his team mate Lewis Hamilton of Britain (front L-R) lead during the start of the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Mercedes AMG driver Nico Rosberg of Germany and his team mate Lewis Hamilton of Britain (front L-R) lead during the start of the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton won the Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel from Ferrari came second while Force India pilot Sergio Perez was third.
Above: Mercedes AMG driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain drives during the qualifying session ahead of the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Mercedes AMG driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain drives during the qualifying session ahead of the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the winners of the race.
Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) hands the F1 Russian Grand Prix cup to Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the awarding ceremony.
Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) hands the F1 Russian Grand Prix cup to Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the awarding ceremony.
Above: Nico Hülkenberg from Force India team during qualifying for the 2015 F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Last year, the 2014 Russian Grand Prix was also won by Hamilton.
Above: Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, Force India Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico and Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (L-R) spray champagne as they celebrate on the winners’ podium after the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, Force India Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico and Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (L-R) spray champagne as they celebrate on the winners’ podium after the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Grid girls line up for the drivers' parade before the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Russian Daniil Kvyat driving for Red Bull finished the sixth.
Above: Driver Daniil Kvyat of Red Bull during qualifying for the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Driver Daniil Kvyat of Red Bull during qualifying for the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: A grid girl holds a sign with the number 44 of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's British driver Lewis Hamilton, prior to the Russian Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) watches as Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
15/16
© AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin
Above: Performers wave for Formula One drivers during the driver’s parade before the start of Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Due to the rising popularity of F1 in Russia, the organizers of the Grand Prix are currently in talks to extend the seven-year contract. The possibility of a night race after 2017 is also in consideration.
Above: Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Force India Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico (R) are silhouetted against the sky as they celebrate on the winners’ podium after the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
Above: Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Force India Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico (R) are silhouetted against the sky as they celebrate on the winners’ podium after the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.
