Finland's Hakkinen is a potential superstar in neighbouring Russia

"Russians love fast cars, they're crazy about them," motor racing commentator Marina Donskaya explained.

"That's why they love Formula One so much. Having our own Grand Prix track will be a dream come true."

No-one loves F1 more than 16-year-old Natahsa Gracheva.

She is a member of Russia's Mika Hakkinen fan club - and she's a walking encyclopedia when it comes to motor racing.

Natasha has even travelled to Europe to attend Grand Prix races. Now she can't wait to see her Formula One hero on her doorstep.

"It'll be great if we have a Russian Grand Prix," Natasha said.

"I'll buy the ticket for the best places because I want to see Mika driving his car in Moscow."

At Moscow's Formula One Night Club they are in a mood to party - everyone is cheered by the news that Russia's first ever Grand Prix could be just around the corner.

The night club offers customers the unusal choice of watching F1 races on TV or enjoying an "erotic show"!

Moscow spectators could be treated to top-class motor racing

But over at Moscow's sprawling toy market you'll be hard presed to find anyone who supports the idea of Formula One in Russia.

The market will have to be bulldozed to make way for the new race track - more than 1,000 market traders are set to lose their jobs.

"It's just like that Millenium Dome in England," said Oleg, who sells toy cars and tricycles. "It's a total waste of money!

"Why don't they build things we need in Russia, like roads and houses - anyone who wants to see a Grand Prix race can go abroad.

One man who is not going anywhere is Sasha - his little white Lada has broken down in the middle of the road - and not for the first time today.

But Sasha believes that Grand Prix racing could have hidden benefits for the Russian motorist.

"With all that high technology coming our way," Sahsha said, "maybe it will help boost the quality of ordinary Russian cars. We can only hope!"

But that is all about to change.

Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has backed plans for a multi-million pound state-of-the-art race track in Moscow - Russia's first ever Grand Prix could be just around the corner.