Russian military forces launched military action against Ukraine last Thursday, prompting a series of reactions from the international community and the application of sanctions from the highest bodies in the Western world.
In the last five days, kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has been under constant attack, as have other major cities in the country, although peace talks are already taking place on the border with Belarus today.
Last week, Formula 1 announced that it would not race in Russia next September, a decision that was supported by drivers and teams. The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel stated, before this official information was made public, that he would not participate in the race if F1 decided to go to Russian territory.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wrote to the Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FAU) to offer his “full support and that of the FIA as well”.
In a response sent by FAU president Leonid Kostyuchenko , the federation said it would prepare “possible support measures from the FIA for the post-war period, when all state resources will be devoted to recovery”.
He also called for a series of FIA measures against Russia and its ally Belarus that would affect the drivers who are part of their championships.
This request includes the prohibition that pilots with licenses issued by the federations of Russia and Belarus can take part in championships outside their countries of origin.
Within F1, this would directly affect Haas driver Nikita Mazepin , who races on a license issued by the Russian Motoring Federation.
Mazepin’s future is up in the air after Haas removed the branding of its Russian main sponsor, Uralkali , from both its car and transport trucks at the end of last week’s Barcelona test. Talks will take place in the coming days.
Mazepin wrote on Twitter last week that “much that is said and done is not in my control,” but that he chose to “focus on what I can control, working hard and doing my best.” The Russian was the team’s starting driver on the final day of testing in Barcelona last week, in an all-white car.
The FAU also called for Russia and Belarus not to be allowed to host any FIA-sanctioned events, banning the use of their state symbols and flags, and excluding all Russian and Belarusian members of the FIA.
The promoter of the WTCR series canceled this year’s round in Sochi on Saturday, due to the “extremely sad and worrying developments in Ukraine”, while other major sporting events will also be held outside Russia, including the Champions League final. UEFA League.
FIFA announced on Sunday that the Russian soccer team will not be able to play matches in its country and that it would have to compete as the ‘Russian Football Union’, in addition to not being able to use its flag or anthem before matches.
The FIM – the equivalent of the FIA’s two-wheeled competitions – also announced last week that it had canceled all its world championship events in Ukraine and Russia this year.
