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Minister: 'Russia not ready for more Formula 1 races'

Russia's sports minister plays down suggestions that the country might add another annual grand prix to the Formula 1 calendar.

Russia's sports minister has played down suggestions that the country might add another annual grand prix to the Formula 1 calendar.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said at Sochi last weekend that he is so happy with the race and Vladimir Putin's support that he would like to see more Russian Grands Prix take place each year.

"Of course he would be happy with two or three races in Russia," Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko told Ria Novosti news agency, "but the financial requirements of formula one are too high.

"So it is not easy, even if there is already another track near Moscow."

Mutko said that Russia already has enough on its plate in readying for the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

"I have already said that until 2020 we are absolutely busy," he insisted. "We have the World Cup, which is a global project in which 40 cities are involved.

"All of our resources are required for that, so we are not yet ready to host another grand prix."

Nico Rosberg won last weekend's race in Sochi, ahead of Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

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Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on April 28, 2016
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