The reigning Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel became the first F1 driver to lap the recently completed Sochi Autodrom in Russia, ahead of this year’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix.

The Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver, who is also Infiniti’s Director of Performance, took a tour of the venue’s facilities and completed a number of high-speed laps of the full Grand Prix circuit in an Infiniti Q50 Hybrid – too bad the Q50 Eau Rouge prototype wasn’t available for this. He was joined by former F1 driver David Coulthard, who drove the circuit with VIP guests and media.

It wasn’t Vettel’s first visit to Sochi, as the German had been there in April 2013 while the circuit was still under construction. Since then, the complex has hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, with the next major international sporting event being the inaugural Russian Grand Prix, due to take place on October 12, 2014.

Just like most recent Formula One circuits, the Sochi Autodrom was designed by famed German architect Hermann Tilke, who drew 18 corners across its length of 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles).

“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,” Vettel said.

Scroll down to watch Vettel’s lap in the official onboard video posted below.

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