Russia ‘very close’ to 2012 debut

The news comes after national hero Vitaly Petrov and current World Champion Jenson Button entertained crowds in a Moscow street demonstration at the weekend.

With India joining the fray next year, a return of the South African Grand Prix is also in the pipeline although chances look good for a maiden Russian race, possibly for the season after next.

Russia are currently in discussions with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone “We're aiming to have the race here as early as 2012, The contract is not done yet but we're getting very close.”  Derk Sauer, the General Director of the weekend’s Bavaria Moscow City Racing event, was quoted by Reuters .

The city of Sochi has been tipped as a possible contender although Sauer is in favour of a race in the capital.

“It would be just like Monaco, a race around the city centre with the Kremlin in the background,” he added.

Button is also keen to see F1 in the Federation, having entertained fans amid baking temperatures in the high 30s on Sunday. “I've always wanted to visit Moscow,” he said. ”It would be a good idea, as I definitely want to come back.”

Source: f1racing.net