The F1 Grand Prix scheduled for Russia in September has been canceled

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The promoter of the Formula 1 World Championship announced, Friday, that the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix, scheduled for September 25 in Sochi, has been canceled due to the Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine.

“On Thursday evening, Formula 1, the FIA ​​and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and concluded, taking into account the opinion of all stakeholders, that it is impossible to organize the Grand Prix of Russia under the current conditions,” the Formula 1 promoter said in a statement.

“We are following developments in Ukraine with sadness and bewilderment and hope for a quick and peaceful solution to the current situation,” she wrote.

The decision comes a day after several drivers called for the race to be cancelled – including world champion Max Verstappen (2021) and Sebastian Vettel (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013).

“It’s horrific to see what’s happening. For my part, my opinion is that I shouldn’t go, I won’t go”, reacted German Vettel, the Aston Martin driver, during a press conference.

On the final day of pre-season testing on Friday, the US Formula 1 Haas team, for its part, opted not to wear the Russian colors of main sponsor Uralkali, a Russian group that specializes in potash.

Haas, whose single seating is usually blue, white, and red relative to the Russian flag, provided a simple white livery, without its main sponsor’s trademark.

Team boss Gunther Steiner clarified on Friday that a decision will be announced next week on the future of the long-term cooperation between Haas and Uralkali. He added that the team was not affected at the moment by Western sanctions against Russia.

The non-executive director of Uralkali is businessman Dmitry Mazepin, father of Haas driver Nikita Mazepin. Steiner added that the future of the latter at the wheel of Haas is not assured due to the developments of the situation.

The Russian Grand Prix was added to the F1 calendar for the first time in 2014. Sochi, which hosted the Winter Olympics in the same year, was chosen to host it.

The 2022 Russian major was scheduled to be the last to be held in Sochi, before moving to Saint Petersburg in 2023.