Russia Misses GP Deadline

Russia signed a seven-year deal in 2010 with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone for a GP in the Black Sea resort from 2014 until 2020.

The Russian Automobile Federation (RAF) said it missed the July 31 2013 deadline because of a financial dispute with race organisers in Sochi, which will also stage the Winter Olympics, in February 2014.

It said its only option was to prove to the International Automobile Federation that there was a force majeure(unavoidable incident) for its failure to file on time.

Organisers said: "The RAF says it is ready to include the Russian GPon the international Automobile Federation's calendar under force majeureconditions." 

If its problems are resolved the race is expected to go ahead in October 2014. Preparations were previously disrupted by concerns that the circuit would not be ready.