Russian Formula One Grand Prix canceled due to 'invasion of Ukraine'
The promoter of the Formula One World Championship announced today the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix scheduled in Sochi on September 25, due to the invasion of Ukraine.
"Yesterday evening, Formula One, the FIA and the teams discussed the position of our sport and came to the conclusion, taking into account the opinion of all stakeholders, that it is impossible to organize the Russian Grand Prix in the current situation," a statement read.
"We are following developments in Ukraine with great sadness and amazement and hope for a quick and peaceful solution to the current situation," he added.
The decision of the American group "Liberty Media", which owns the commercial rights to the first category, comes the day after many drivers demanded to cancel the race, including the defending Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Vettel, a former Red Bull, Ferrari and current Aston Martin driver, expressed his anger at what is happening during a press conference on the sidelines of testing in Barcelona before the start of the new year, saying, "It is terrible to see what is happening. For me, my opinion is that I should not go, I will not go." .
In an expression of opposition to the invasion of Ukraine, the US-funded Haas team, during the last day of the Barcelona trials, removed the Russian colors of its main supporter, Uralkali, a group specializing in potash.
Haas, which relies on its blue, white and red car after the Russian flag, offered a simple white livery without the main sponsor's branding.
The Italian-American team director, Gunther Steiner, said today that a decision will be announced next week on the future of the long-term cooperation between Haas and Uralcalli, adding that the team is not affected at the moment by Western sanctions against Russia.
Russian businessman Dmitry Mazepin, father of Haas driver Nikita, is the non-executive director of Uralkali.
Steiner added that Nikita's future is not guaranteed due to the developments in the situation, noting that German Mick Schumacher, son of Formula One legend Michael, is also defending the team's colors for the second year in a row.
The Russian Grand Prix was included in the world championship calendar for the first time in 2014, with the city of Sochi chosen to host, knowing that the latter had previously hosted the Winter Olympics in the same year.
Sochi was scheduled to receive the last edition of the race in 2022, before Saint Petersburg was awarded the honor of hosting in 2023.
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