Formula 1 issued a statement this Friday at noon in which it said that they would not celebrate the Russian Grand Prix of the 2022 season with the current conditions, due to the war between the Russian country and Ukraine.
The Great Circus explained that it would be studying the possibilities to continue running in Sochi , although they would closely follow the development of the events that have shaken the international community.
“The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries around the world with a positive vision to bring people together, uniting nations,” the statement read. “We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock, and we hope for a swift and peaceful resolution of the current situation.”
“On Thursday night, Formula 1, the FIA and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the opinion of all interested parties, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances. “.
This confirms that it is still possible to compete on Russian territory, and the organizers have spoken about it, explaining that they still have options to hold the event in Sochi.
“According to the official Formula 1 statement dated February 25, 2022, due to the current situation in the international community, the FIA management has made the decision not to compete in the Russian round of the championship, scheduled for September, due to the impossibility of celebrating it in the current circumstances”, published the circuit.
“The agreement between the official promoter of the Russian Grand Prix ANO ROSGONKI and Formula 1 is suspended due to circumstances of force majeure,” he continued. “Tickets purchased will not be voided – there is no need to return them now as it is still possible that the round will go ahead as scheduled.”
“ROSGONKI continues to function as usual, providing services to the guests of the Sochi Autodrome, as well as organizing and hosting automobile competitions, and other races at the federal, regional and municipal levels within the approved event calendar,” he concluded.
In this way, Russia can still continue to host the event on its territory despite the events that have taken place. They are not the only ones affected in the paddock, as Haas has also decided to withdraw the logos of its main sponsor Uralkali , and they took to the track on the last day of pre-season testing in white livery, so their financial future is up in the air. .
