F1 has announced a full-fledged contract termination with the promoters of the Russian GP in the wake of the country’s war with Ukraine.
After F1 and the FIA decided to cancel the 2022 Russian GP at Sochi after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Formula 1 Group has now decided to terminate the contract with the promoters which leaves no chance of the sport visiting the country for now.
Sochi Autodrom was due to host the last Russian GP this year with St. Petersburg (Igora Drive) taking over from 2023 onward in a new deal. The already existing circuit was in the process of getting upgraded to hold F1 level of equipment and safety measures.
But with Russia invading Ukraine and the closeness of Vladimir Putin with both the circuits, F1 has since decided to terminate its contract with the Russian GP promoter. Of course, this is for the time until normalcy is restored and or until Putin is in power.
For now, there is no chance of Russia hosting a F1 race this year. “Formula 1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future,” the sport said in a statement.
The step comes amid the news of Russian GP promoters noting that the grand prix was not outrightly cancelled but withheld under Force Majeure. The subsequent FIA World Motor Sport Council meet mentioned about ‘cancellation’ which was missing from earlier note.
The FIA took the decision to not stage any events or allow any officials to work in their roles, but it has allowed the drivers to compete under the neutral flag. This has generated negative criticism of the governing body not being strict enough to enforce IOC rules.
Motorsport UK, meanwhile, categorically mentioned about Russian-licensed drivers to be not allowed. While the debate around it continues, on F1 side, Nikita Mazepin is set to be dropped by Haas as they move towards terminating the Uralkali contract.
The team removed Uralkali from everywhere and interestingly did not wish Mazepin on his birthday on Wednesday. The growing speculation is for the Russian to lose his F1 drive, with Pietro Fittipaldi to take his seat for the time being alongside Mick Schumacher.
https://twitter.com/sergiorf97/status/1499299172922675204?s=20&t=m9dept4g4NdSHKyrbLJwdA
Here’s the full FIA WMSC decisions
Here’s Daniil Kvyat urging IOC and FIA
Here’s what Ukraine federation wrote
Here’s Guenther Steiner on Haas situation with Uralkali
Here’s news on F1 cancelling Russian GP