Sebastian Vettel yesterday became the first F1 driver to complete a lap of the new Sochi Autodrom track, the venue for October’s Russian Grand Prix.

Four-time world champion Vettel drove an Infiniti Q50 road car around the 5.8km Hermann Tilke-designed circuit several times after travelling to Russia from Belgium.

The Russia GP, which takes place October 10-12, has been beset with political and security concerns surrounding the conflicts in Crimea and Ukraine and whether the track would be finished in time.

But Vettel left the track impressed, saying: “It is great to be back in Sochi and the venue has been transformed since I was last here in April when it was really just a construction site.

“Having driven the full circuit for the first time in the Infiniti Q50 today, it’s an interesting layout with a good mix of high speed corners and technical sections.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge in a Formula One car for sure and I’m really looking forward to coming back in October.”