MOTORSPORT: Russian GP axed
FIA cancels Russia’s Formula 1 race following Ukranian attackThe Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to the cancellation of the country’s Formula 1 race. The FIA, the world governing body of motorsport, made the decision on Friday.
It was announced in a brief statement that finished with the words “it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances”.
The race had been scheduled for September 25 at the Sochi Autodrom, part of a giant sporting complex that was created for the Winter Olympics in 2014 under the leadership of president Vladimir Putin. He had visited the F1 race several times and helped to present trophies.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who races for Aston Martin in F1, was the first to react to the invasion.
“My own opinion is I should not go, I will not go,” Vettel said.
“I think it’s wrong to race in that country. I’m sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership.
“I think it’s horrible to see what is happening.”
The current world champion, Max Verstappen, joined the move against the race.
“When a country is at war, it is not right to race there,” he said.
Christian Horner, head of Red Bull Racing, was also against the Russian GP.
“I can’t see how we can go possibly to Russia in the current climate,” he said. “It’s an issue for the governing body and the commercial rights holder that are responsible but how much can things change between now and September?”
The Haas team, whose Russian driver Dmitry Mazepin is backed by his father Nikita and his giant chemical company Uralkali, ran without the sponsor’s branding on the final pre-season test day at Barcelona in Spain.
The Russian colours, which are part of the team’s livery, were also removed as Haas ran with plain white bodywork.
“The FIA Formula 1 world championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together,” said the full FIA statement.
“We are watching developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
“On Thursday evening [European time] Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all the relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”
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