Vettel samples Russia's new F1® track in Sochi

Sebastian Vettel has become the first Formula One driver to lap the newly completed Sochi Autodrom, the circuit which will host Russia’s inaugural Grand Prix in October.

The Red Bull Racing driver travelled straight to Sochi from Spa-Francorchamps after finishing fifth in Sunday’s 2014 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix.

After a tour of the venue’s facilities, the four-time world champion completed a number of high speed laps of the full 5.8 km Hermann Tilke-designed circuit in an Infiniti road car.

Commenting on the experience, Vettel said: “It is great to be back in Sochi and the venue has been transformed since I was last here [April 2013] when it was really just a construction site.

"Having driven the full circuit for the first time in the Infiniti Q50 today, it’s an interesting layout with a good mix of high speed corners and technical sections.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge in a Formula One car for sure and I’m really looking forward to coming back in October.”