Formula 1 terminates contract with Russian Grand Prix over Ukraine invasion
Formula 1 will no longer race in Russia after the game ended its contract with the promoter of the Russian Grand Prix, it said on Thursday, in light of the country’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. The event, which was set to move to a new track outside St Petersburg one year from now from its present Sochi Olympic park venue, had a contract until 2025. sport announced the cancellation of the 2022 race, originally scheduled for Sept 25, last week.
“Formula One can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future,” a statement from the sport’s commercial rights holder, which decides the calendar, said.
Formula One’s move to effectively pull out of Russia comes after the sport’s governing body, the FIA, on Tuesday condemned the country’s invasion of Ukraine but said Russian and Belarusian drivers could still take part in its competitions in a neutral capacity. British federation Motorsport UK on Wednesday banned Russian and Belarusian license holders from racing in the country regardless of the flag they compete under. Nikita Mazepin is the only Russian on the Formula One grid.
