Russian GP organizers "signed a new deal that will keep the Formula 1 race at Sochi" until '25, according to Jonathan Noble of MOTORSPORT. Following discussions "that began with Bernie Ecclestone at last year's race about extending its old contract," which ran until the end of '20, Sochi execs "finally concluded a five-year extension." The decision by Russia to agree to a new deal "comes against the backdrop of a change in F1 ownership" under Liberty Media, and has "been helped by the securing of a long-term title sponsor for the race -- VTB Group." The new title backer means that "the race promoter fees are no longer being paid by the Russian government." Russian GP promoter Sergey Vorobyov said, "This is a complex deal, which combines the promoter contract. The important part is the title sponsorship contract for us, and there are a few other things that we are working on now currently with Chase [Carey, F1 chair] and his team that I'm not ready to announce yet." Vorobyov confirmed that Sochi was "still evaluating plans for a night race in the future," but this "would only happen if the infrastructure could be provided by Russian companies" (MOTORSPORT, 2/28).
