The first ever drift around Sochi Autodrom
© Daniel Kolodin
Drifting
Drifting Formula 1's Fastest Turn
Is it possible to drift around the whole of turn three of the Sochi Autodrom? See Nikita Shikov try.
By Ekaterina Kasatkina
2 min readPublished on
2 minNikita Shikov performs first ever drift of Sochi Watch Russian racer Nikita Shikov’s spectacular drift around the epic Turn 3 of Sochi at 170kph.
Watch
Last year, the Russian Grand Prix made its Formula 1 debut matching a stunning setting with its spectacular track. The F1 circuit, laid out around the site of the Winter Olympic village in Sochi on the Black Sea, was an instant winner with the drivers.
One outstanding feature of the Sochi Autodrom is the awe-inspiring turn three — the fastest and longest turn in Formula 1. This massive left-hander could have been lifted straight off a slot-car track.
Nikita Shikov fills the Sochi Autodrom with smoke
Nikita Shikov fills the Sochi Autodrom with smoke© Daniel Kolodin
The Russians call it "the engine killer" because the prolonged G-force can starve an engine of oil, while pushing the driver to his physical limit. If you don't cook the engine, you can easily slide into the barriers.
It's made for F1, of course, but it also happens to be perfect for drifting. But is it possible to drift around the whole of turn three of the Sochi Autodrom?
With special permission from the circuit owners, Russian Drift Series racer Nikita Shikov brought his new 800 bhp Toyota RocketBull86 to Sochi and proceeded to spread his tires all over the circuit, filling the Olympic venue with black smoke.
In circuit racing, the average speed around turn three is 93 mph, but Shikov passed through the turn at 105 mph with his wheels spinning at an incredible 161 mph.
Sit back and enjoy this unique way of tackling the F1 circuit in Sochi.
​For the best stories from RedBull.com delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Drifting