The Russian Automobile Federation has detailed on the no flag/name use by its country drivers in FIA championships – including F1 – which is likely to affect Nikita Mazepin.
Amid the ongoing ban from World Anti-Doping Agency for Russian athletes due to dope related incidents, it is going to affect race car drivers as well in top FIA-sanctioned championships like F1, WRC, WRC, WEC, Formula E and karting.
The rule came into being from December 17, 2020, and will carry on until December 16, 2022, which is what saved AlphaTauri’s Daniil Kvyat last year. This will, however, affect Haas F1 driver Mazepin, who is to make his debut this year in 2021.
With the ruling of non-usage of the Russian flag, Mazepin will be forced to race under neutral status. He can use the flag colours and acronym RAF or have ‘Russia – neutral athlete’ against his name but no flag and or direct usage of the country name is allowed.
In the case of a race win, there won’t be a Russian anthem as well – although it is unlikely that Mazepin will have a race win in 2021. It is unclear if it will affect drivers in F2 and or F3, as those championships hasn’t been mentioned in the press release.
Here’s the full statement:
“On February 4, the Russian Automobile Federation received clarifications from the FIA (International Automobile Federation) regarding the enforcement of decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in terms of motor sports.
“By the decision of CAS, Russian athletes competing in the World Championships (namely, in the Formula 1 World Championship, the World Rally Championship (WRC), the World Rallycross Championship (WRX), the World Endurance Racing Championship (WEC)), world championship in Formula E, world championship in karting) are not entitled to:
– use the image of the Russian flag (actual or historical) in any sports gear and equipment, but may use the colors of the Russian flag;
– use national emblems or symbols in any sports equipment and equipment (the coat of arms of Russia, including the one with a two-headed eagle), but can use the acronym RAF instead of the Russian flag;
– use the names “Russia”, “Russian”, “Russian Automobile Federation”, but may use the name “Russia” exclusively in combination with the phrase “neutral athlete” or a semantic equivalent of this phrase, made in the same size and located next to or at least prominent place, for example, “neutral athlete from Russia” or “Russia. Neutral athlete. ” It is also allowed to use the acronym “RAF” instead of “Russian Automobile Federation”;
– publicly display the flag of the Russian Federation (current or historical), the name “Russia” or any national emblem or national symbol on their clothing at any official facilities or in other areas controlled by the FIA or the organizers of FIA competitions;
– to perform the National Anthem of Russia in the official venues of the competition or in other places controlled by the FIA or its designated organizer of the competition.
“These restrictions do not apply to spectators who are allowed to bring Russian national flags to any official FIA competition and event. The CAS decision is valid for two years from the date of adoption: from December 17, 2020 to December 16, 2022. The RAF, as an FIA accredited federation, confirms the strict implementation of all CAS decisions by Russian racers.”
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