Formula One: Russia extends grand prix contract

Formula One drivers start the Russian F1 Grand Prix in Sochi, Russia on Oct 11, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

RUSSIA (REUTERS) - The Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for Sochi in April, will stay on the Formula One calendar until 2025 after organisers agreed a new contract.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak told Russian news agency TASS that the contract had been extended.

The original deal ran until 2020.

Race promoters last week announced the VTB financial group as new title partner for the race.

"VTB's involvement will only add to the continued success of the event and we look forward to this being the start of a long and successful relationship," Formula One chairman Chase Carey said at the time.

Sochi hosted the first Russian Grand Prix in 2014, with the race winding around some of the venues used for that year's Winter Olympics.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has attended all the races held there to date.

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