No need for safety fears in Russia's first Grand Prix, insist organisers

Jules Bianchi’s horrific Japanese Grand Prix accident has thrust driver safety further into the spotlight ahead of Russia’s Formula One debut on Sunday but race organisers say they are well prepared.

Most of the marshals at the Sochi circuit are Russian, and will be working at a grand prix for the first time. They are supervised by experienced officials brought in from Australia’s CAMS motorsport body.

Richard Cregan, who works closely with local promoter Sergey Vorobyev and was previously chief executive of the Abu Dhabi circuit, recognised Bianchi’s accident had added to the pressure.

But the Irishman said at the circuit, whose fenced layout snakes around the Olympic Park used for this year’s Winter Games in February, that it was there anyway.

“I think there’s always a pressure with the first race to make sure everything is of a standard that’s even beyond what is required by the FIA,” he said.

“We are very lucky to have somebody like [race director] Charlie [Whiting] there who is so attentive to detail. He’s been here many times and very willing to come out at very short notice to help and do inspections.