Most Wins: Lewis Hamilton (106) • Most Titles: M. Schumacher & L. Hamilton (7) • 77 Seasons Since 1950 • 1,159 Races in Database • 818 Drivers Tracked • Most Wins: Lewis Hamilton (106) • Most Titles: M. Schumacher & L. Hamilton (7) • 77 Seasons Since 1950 • 1,159 Races in Database • 818 Drivers Tracked •
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Sochi Autodrom

Sochi, Russia · 8 races held

Race History

YearGrand PrixWinnerTeam
2021 Russian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2020 Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas Mercedes
2019 Russian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2018 Russian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2017 Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas Mercedes
2016 Russian Grand Prix Nico Rosberg Mercedes
2015 Russian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2014 Russian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

About Sochi Autodrom

The Sochi Autodrom was built around the Olympic Park constructed for the 2014 Winter Olympics on Russia's Black Sea coast, and it hosted the inaugural Russian Grand Prix later that same year. Designed by Hermann Tilke, the circuit weaves between the venues and infrastructure of the Olympic site, giving it a distinctive parkland setting.

Sochi hosted the Russian Grand Prix every season from 2014 to 2021. It developed a reputation as a relatively processional circuit where overtaking could be difficult, though it still produced its share of dramatic and strategically intriguing races.

Following the events of 2022, Formula 1 ended its relationship with Russia, and the Russian Grand Prix was removed from the calendar, bringing Sochi's eight-year run as an F1 venue to a close.

Memorable Moments

  • 2014: Lewis Hamilton won the very first Russian Grand Prix as Mercedes asserted its dominance during their championship-winning era.
  • 2017: Valtteri Bottas held off the chasing Ferraris to claim his maiden Formula 1 victory in only his fifth race for Mercedes.
  • 2018: Mercedes controversially used team orders to swap Bottas and Hamilton, handing Hamilton a win to bolster his title bid.
  • 2021: A late rain shower transformed the final race held at Sochi, with Lewis Hamilton taking his 100th career Grand Prix win after rivals gambled on staying out on slicks.

Track Character

Sochi is a fast, flat circuit with smooth asphalt and long straights, but its defining feature is the very long, sweeping Turn 3, a constant-radius left-hander held for several seconds that punishes the front tyres and demands careful management. Much of the remaining lap is made up of 90-degree corners between concrete walls, giving the track a street-circuit feel despite being a permanent facility. The layout offered limited natural overtaking spots, which often placed a premium on qualifying position and tyre strategy, though long braking zones and the threat of a safety car could still shake up the order on race day.