German Formula One driver and triple World Champion Sebastian Vettel became the first driver to test out the new Sochi Olympic Park Circuit in Sochi, Krasnodar, Krai, Russia, on April 22, 2013.

The Sochi Olympic Park, which is still under construction, is set to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. When complete, its Formula One circuit will be the third longest circuit in the Formula One calendar.

After taking a drive around the track, Vettel toured the sports venue with officials from the Russian government and Formula Sochi—the park’s organizing body. Later, at a press conference, which was held at the Olympic ice skating area, Vettel offered his thoughts on the new venue.

“It is a great privilege to be the first Formula One driver to visit the new Sochi venue,” said Vettel, in a recent press release. “After trying a section of the track in the FX Vettel Edition, I can already see it will be a fun circuit to drive in a Formula One car and the rest of the venue is very impressive. I’m really looking forward to coming back here for the Grand Prix next year.”

The first Formula One race in Russia will take place in 2014 at the new 3.7-mile Sochi Olympic Park Circuit, following the 2014 Winter Olympics.

For more photos and a video of Vettel’s day in Russia, see the Infiniti GP website.