The FIA has released the details of the World Motor Sport Council decisions regarding participation of Russia and Belarus drivers/officials.
With the invasion of Ukraine from Russia, the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called for an emergency meet of the WMSC on Tuesday. The discussions was mainly for how to implement the charter from the International Olympic Committee.
After Ukraine federation called for a ban on Russia and Belarus, the FIA has adhered to much of their demands especially on the work of the federation and the symbols/signage use. In fact, no national teams from either country can participate in championships.
The releases mentions of Motorsport Games, but it seems like will be valid for also the Russian or Belarus-licensed teams competing in various championships. The members selected in any commissions have been asked to step aside from their roles.
Also, the FIA is to not provide any grants which they are eligible for, while the governing body also mentions cancellation of the 2022 Russian GP. While the above is more on the side of strict ruling, there is some relief from them for the drivers and officials.
The FIA has allowed them to carry on competing but under neutral status and using the FIA symbol. Here’s the full statement along with quotes from Sulayem:
In his opening remarks to the meeting, the FIA President said: “As you know, the FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine. I would like to stress that the FIA, together with our promoters, proactively acted on this matter last week and communicated accordingly on the Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the International Drifting Cup. An updated version of the different FIA International Calendars will be presented to the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.”
In accordance with the International Olympic Committee recommendations, Council members approved the following decisions to be implemented with immediate effect:
Competitions organized on the territory of Russia and Belarus
- No international/zone competition to take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice
- No flag/symbol or anthem of Russia/Belarus to be used in international/zone competitions, until further notice
Drivers, competitors and officials
- No Russian/Belarusian national teams to participate in international/zone competitions (e.g. FIA Motorsport Games), until further notice
- Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice
- No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment and car)- should be displayed or anthems should be played at international/zone competitions, until further notice
FIA Elected officers/Commissions’ members
- Representatives from Russian/Belarusian FIA Members to step aside temporarily from their roles and responsibilities of elected officers/commissions’ members *
FIA grants
- No FIA grant to be awarded to the Russian/Belarusian FIA Members, until further notice *
- No existing FIA grant funding will be paid to the Russian/Belarusian FIA Members *
* Subject to the approval of the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism
FIA International Sporting Calendar
- Upon proposal of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, cancellation of the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix for reason of Force Majeure.
The FIA President added: “I want to thank the Council members for their prompt action in deciding these measures in the interests of sport and peace. We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU) and the wider FIA family in the country. The measures taken today recognise the authority of the FAU in Ukraine and are also aligned with the recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee. We are in active discussions with our members as we continue to extend our compassion and support in their time of need. We sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution to their intolerable hardship.”
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