After an extraordinary meeting of the FIA with the World Motor Sport Council , the highest body announced the measures taken and the restrictions against Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian pilots breathe a sigh of relief, as they will continue as before, competing without their Russian flag or license (this measure was already in force, until 2023, due to the state doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics ). Russian teams, on the other hand, will not be able to compete. But what are all the measures taken?
What about motorsport competitions held in Russia and Belarus?
- No international/regional competition will be held in Russia and Belarus, until further notice. It affects, among others, Formula 2, the WTCR and the International Drifting Cup
- No flag/symbol or anthem of Russia/Belarus will be used in international/or regional competitions until further notice.
FIA ruling on Russian drivers, teams, competitors and Russian officials
- Ban on Russian/Belarussian national teams to participate in international/regional competitions.
- Russian/Belarussian drivers, individual competitors may only participate in international/regional competitions as neutrals and under the ” FIA flag” , subject to a specific commitment and adherence to the FIA principles of peace and political neutrality, until new notice.
- Until further notice, Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniforms, teams and cars) and anthems should not be displayed at international/regional competitions
Russian and Belarusian pilots suspended in the UK
- Although the FIA will not ban Russian and Belarusian drivers from competing, the UK racing body announced that they will not allow drivers with those licenses to race in their countries and championships. This not only affects the British categories, but also those of the FIA, so for example Mazepin could not contest the British F1 GP at Silverstone unless he did so with the license of another country and under another flag.
FIA temporarily suspends Russian officials and Commissioners following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- The representatives of the Russian/Belarusian members of the FIA will have to temporarily withdraw from their functions and responsibilities as official members or from the commissions to which they were elected.
Formula 1 Russian GP 2022 canceled
- At the proposal of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, cancellation of the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix.
Formula 1 issued a statement last Friday assuring that “in these circumstances” it could not contest the Russian GP, although they spoke of suspension and not canceling it. In fact, the promoters of the race assured that the contract was still there and they did not rule out that it be held. Now, the grand prix is finally cancelled, and both the Turkish GP and the Portuguese GP in Portimao aspire to take its place on the calendar.
Thus, the 2021 race was the last of the Sochi circuit in the world championship, since after this 2022, if it is held again, the Russian GP will be held at Igora Drive.
