For the first time in Sochi, but Kwiat – not much – Century – Daily Newspaper

Posted 13/10/2014 15:06. Edited 13.10.2014 17:02

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Famous stables Mercedes racer Lewis Hamilton won the first ever Grand Prix of Russia. Russian Toro Rosso driver Daniel Kwiat, which started from 5th, could not resist wearing glasses and finished only 14th.

I remember that after a promising Saturday qualifying only the lazy, as they say, is not talked about appearing in Russian pilot possible to dial a good score on the home track, and especially fans of dreamy dreaming even on the podium – at once, the house where the walls help. In general, almost all were sure – keep behind “Red Bull” and “Ferrari” Kwiat quite capable. But the harsh reality was, as we now know, quite different.

At the start of the race, Daniel immediately lost a few positions and then a long warming up tires and high fuel consumption threw Russians outside the top ten. Kwiat finished only 14th, was behind not only a team mate, but both “Force India”, which was a complete surprise for virtually all, considering the course of the weekend.

Immediately after the start Kwiat lost three positions, and then he missed the next two more pilots, after the first pit stop, he returned to the track 15th. Finally, the chances of the points zone were lost our pilot on the 39th lap when Kwiat peretormozil and was forced to go to the second pit stop.

Immediately after arrival, even hot to Daniel and emotionally confused, told journalists about the following “Yesterday we qualified higher than at the place where could finish today. During the race had all the time to deal with the rapid flow of fuel.”

The first round began, he said, literally a lottery. And he confessed to all that he could not warm up the rubber as it should. He became just the 9th. In any case, as Daniel said, today we are not destined to finish in the points.

The track in Sochi, according to our driver – one of the most aggressive in the championship. On the other, we can compete. But such tracks fuel consumption and the energy does not allow us to fight for points: long, straight, braking, acceleration, one after another. On Friday, when they passed free rides, it became clear that it would be difficult.

But the Grand Prix, as stated, however, Daniel Kwiat, a success. This is a huge success of our country as a whole. It’s a lot of spectators. I think, in the words of the Russian racer, everyone liked it. This is a guarantee that the Grand Prix of Russia will be lots and lots of times. It is difficult not to agree with this assessment.

However, despite the complexity of the route, Hamilton led the entire race and increased its lead over Rosberg in the standings.

And now – the total picture to the appreciation of the competition, given our first-born, so to speak, Daniel Kwiat. Sochi on the racetrack grandstand with seating cheaper, but nevertheless which cost about 5 thousand. Rubles each, were packed to capacity. But on the elite covered grandstand, where the cost of tickets is over a 30 thousand. Rubles, you could see the empty seats.

Anyway, but on the Sunday race in Sochi, as reported by the press event organizers, was attended by over 65 thousand . spectators.

By the way, one after the other in a new, resplendent in a modern airport Adler crowded planes began to arrive early as the middle of last week. Despite the sharply increased prices for air travel, the high cost of housing and tickets themselves on the Russian stage, many spectators came to see the royal race with their entire families. At the same time the army of media representatives, who arrived in Sochi from all corners of the globe seemed incalculable.

It should be noted that among the spectators at the Sochi circuit of our compatriots were about 90%. Here’s one after the other in the stands appear Russian flags with the designation of the city of Moscow, Novosibirsk, Russia, Bratsk, Volgograd and Sevastopol. And here is the flag of Bashkortostan – immediately clear what countrymen Daniel Kvyat came from Ufa to maintain your pet.

In Sochi came and known in the past ex-pilot of the “Ferrari” Jean Alesi.

According to the papers Alesi and other representatives of the media, the track was very interesting. Sports facilities created for the Olympic Games, are staggering in its scope. Legend of previous races admitted that he likes the racer from Russia Daniil Kvyat, which, according to him, is not only very fast driver, but also a good man, and even in Italian says. Last looked the most weighty argument.

In response to reporters’ questions about what the athletes think about Russia and how they relate to the statements of some politicians that need to deny the right of the Russian Federation of the stage, “Formula 1″ Alesi categorically stated that the athletes do not care about politics.

It becomes a story not just the race itself. Numerous commentators and experts note that was a historic and post-race podium prizes to the winner of which was presented personally by the president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Spectacle, indeed, unique.

I must frankly confess that without a genuine interest of our president, none of this – not the Olympics or World Championship “Formula 1″, nor, most importantly, such a great and very beautiful route that meets the highest international standards , Russia would not have been for a long time.

By the way, it is noteworthy that a similar level of international racing and class were held in Russia 100 years ago. There has been a grand event in St. Petersburg, where, it is exactly a century ago, literally, 12 October.

I must say that during the Soviet period, and especially in recent decades, several attempts to build a modern circuit, for example, near the famous airfield in Tushino. And the initiators of this idea in different times were equally well-known people, such as Shamil Tarpishchev – last tennis sparring partner of many influential people. But always lacked the idea of ​​investment, and all every time ends when the money ended up. Only in Sochi this year have been achieved in the literal sense of the age-old dream.

Back in our day, we say that the next stage of the royal race will be held in the United States has from 31 October to 2 November 2014. So the wait is long.