Formula 1 announced that it will not hold the Russian Grand Prix scheduled for September 25 after the war. The series said on Thursday that it would closely follow developments between the two countries after holding a meeting with grid crew chiefs.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Grand Circus confirmed that it would not race in Russia this year: “The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries around the world with a positive vision to bring people together, uniting nations.” .
“We are watching the events in Ukraine with sadness and shock, and we hope for a speedy and peaceful resolution of the current situation,” the category says.
“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. “.
On Thursday, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel commented that he would not travel to compete in the Russian Grand Prix if the series decided to go there, while Max Verstappen explained that it would be a mistake to race in a country that is at war.
“I think it’s horrible to see what’s going on. Obviously, if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia. For me, from my point of view, I shouldn’t go, I won’t go,” Vettel said.
“I think it’s a mistake to race in that country. I feel sorry for the people, for the innocent people who are dying, who are being killed for stupid reasons under very strange and crazy leadership,” added the German Aston Martin driver.
This year’s Russian Grand Prix was to be the last to be held at the Sochi autodrome, before it moves to a new circuit in Saint Petersburg in 2023.
On Friday, UEFA decided to remove the Champions League final scheduled for the end of May from St. Petersburg, moving the match to Paris.
