The Russian Grand Prix is ​​over, F1 definitively breaks its contract with the promoter

F1 in Russia is over. The promoter of the Formula 1 world championship announced on Thursday that it would definitively terminate its contract with the promoter of the Russian Grand Prix, after the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. “Formula 1 can confirm that it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter, which means that Russia will have no racing in the future,” said F1 promoter Formula. One, to the press.

Neutral flags

The decision follows last week’s announcement to cancel the 2022 Russian GP scheduled for late September. It was to be the last organized in Sochi before moving in 2023 to Saint Petersburg. On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended banning Russians and Belarusians from sports competitions, thus breaking with a long tradition of non-intervention in political or geopolitical debates.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA), for its part, has decided to authorize Russian or Belarusian drivers to participate under a neutral flag in the competitions it regulates, such as Formula 1.

However, “no international competitions will take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice” and “no flag / symbol or anthem of Russia / Belarus will be used in international competitions until further notice”, had she also reported earlier this week. The British federation went further on Wednesday, banning Russian or Belarusian drivers from competing in the United Kingdom, already banning driver Nikita Mazepin from participating in the Silverstone Gran-Prix next July.

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