2016 Russian Grand Prix 2016 Russian Grand Prix The 2016 Russian Grand Prix (formally known as the 2016 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix; ) was a Formula One motor race that took place on 1 May 2016. The race, contested over fifty-three laps, was held at the Sochi Autodrom. It was the fourth round of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship and marked the fifth running of the Russian Grand Prix, the third time as a round of the Formula One World Championship since the series inception in . Nico Rosberg of Mercedes came into the race leading the championship ahead of his
2014 Russian Grand Prix race to go ahead. In September 2014, the circuit hosted a round of the Russian Touring Car Championship as preparation for the Grand Prix. Following the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014 and amid allegations of Russian involvement in the incident and the Russian military intervention in the country, there were calls from the British Conservative Party for Formula One to abandon the race as part of sanctions placed on the Russian government, as the race was established with financial support from the government. Similar suggestions were made from British and German parliamentarians