Formula 1 organizers said they were watching developments in Ukraine with shock and sadness while confirming it was impossible to hold the 2022 Russian GP in Sochi.
Formula 1 cancels Russian GP for 2022 (AFP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- F1 cancels Russian GP amid invasion of Ukraine
- The Russian GP was scheduled to take place in Sochi in September
- F1 acted after CEO Stefano Domenicali chaired a crisis summit with his governing body
Formula 1 confirmed on Friday that the 2022 Russian Grand Prix would be canceled, adding that organizers will find it impossible to host the Sochi race amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The race, which is a popular stop on the F1 calendar, was due to take place on September 25.
Formula 1’s announcement of canceling the Russian Grand Prix came hours after European football’s governing body UEFA moved the Champions League final from St Petersburg due to the ongoing crisis. The Champions League final will now be played in Paris in May.
Notably, several drivers including Sebastian Vettel had expressed concerns about the Sochi race amid the invasion of Ukraine. The four-time world champion had announced that he would boycott the race in Russia and called Vladimir Putin’s regime “crazy”.
The Formula 1 organizers said in a statement on Friday that they were following developments in Ukraine with “sadness and shock”.
“The FIA Formula One World Championship visits countries around the world with a positive vision of uniting people and bringing nations together. We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope that the current situation will be resolved quickly and peacefully.
“On Thursday evening, Formula 1, the FIA and the teams discussed the position of our sport and the conclusion, including the perspective of all relevant stakeholders, is that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix under the current circumstances” , so added to the statement.
According to the AP news agency, F1 acted after CEO Stefano Domenicali chaired a crisis summit with its governing body, the FIA, and the sport’s team chiefs on Thursday night.
It’s unclear at this point if the race will be replaced, but Turkey’s Istanbul Park has been mooted as a contender to fill the now vacant spot on the calendar.
