Traditionally, Sochi has been Russia's largest and most popular resort. The Winter Olympics of 2014, combined with the first Formula One Russian Grand Prix marked a turning point for the city, making it one of the country's top sporting destinations.
© REUTERS / Maxim ShemetovCars drive during the warm-up lap of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Cars drive during the warm-up lap of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
© Sputnik / Alexei Kudenko / Go to the mediabankGrid girls before the start of the Russian Grand Prix race.
Grid girls before the start of the Russian Grand Prix race.
© AP Photo / Pavel GolovkinRed Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the second free practice session ahead of the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the 'Sochi Autodrom' circuit, in Sochi.
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© AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the second free practice session ahead of the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the 'Sochi Autodrom' circuit, in Sochi.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankFormula-1 drivers taking part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Formula-1 drivers taking part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
© Sputnik / Alexei Kudenko / Go to the mediabankRace queens before the start of the Russian Grand Prix race.
Race queens before the start of the Russian Grand Prix race.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankFinnish driver Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team, takes part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team, takes part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
© Sputnik / Nina Zotina / Go to the mediabankGerman driver Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari team, takes part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
German driver Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari team, takes part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
© AFP 2023 / Andrej ISAKOVICRenault's British driver Jolyon Palmer and Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean crash on the opening lap of the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom circuit in Sochi.
Renault's British driver Jolyon Palmer and Haas F1's French driver Romain Grosjean crash on the opening lap of the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom circuit in Sochi.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankFinnish driver Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team, gets out of his car after finishing the race.
Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team, gets out of his car after finishing the race.
© REUTERS / Maxim ShemetovMercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain runs away as his teammate Valtteri Bottas of Finland poses for a picture after the race.
Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain runs away as his teammate Valtteri Bottas of Finland poses for a picture after the race.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankFerrari driver Kimi Raikkonen takes part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen takes part in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankRussian President Putin awards the winner of the Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team.
Russian President Putin awards the winner of the Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team.
© Sputnik / Alexei Kudenko / Go to the mediabankFrom left to right: Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, the first runner-up; Valtteri Bottas' race engineer Tony Ross; the winner of the Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team; Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, the second runner-up.
From left to right: Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, the first runner-up; Valtteri Bottas' race engineer Tony Ross; the winner of the Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes team; Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, the second runner-up.
© AP Photo / Sergei GritsSebastian Vettel, left, sprays champagne on Valtteri Bottas on the podium of the Formula One Russian Grand Prix. Bottas won the race, and Vettel was second.
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© AP Photo / Sergei Grits
Sebastian Vettel, left, sprays champagne on Valtteri Bottas on the podium of the Formula One Russian Grand Prix. Bottas won the race, and Vettel was second.