Barcelona, Spain – Method 1 canceled the Russian Grand Prix in September after the Russian navy invasion of Ukraine.
Russian forces continued their advance into Ukraine on Friday, inflicting widespread condemnation and sanctions from world leaders.
Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the ten workforce chiefs mentioned the state of the race on a name Thursday night.
On Friday, F1 confirmed that the race – scheduled for September 25 – wouldn’t go forward.
An announcement stated: “We’re watching developments in Ukraine with disappointment, shock and hope for a fast and peaceable decision of the present state of affairs. On Thursday night, the FIA and the groups mentioned the place of our sport, and concluded, together with the view of all stakeholders concerned, that it’s inconceivable to carry the Grand Prix The Russian main within the present circumstances.
The wording of the assertion sparked hypothesis that the race might proceed this yr if the state of affairs modified.
In a press release of its personal, the Russian Grand Prix promoter, Rosgonki, alluded to the identical factor.
“Tickets bought haven’t been cancelled,” the assertion stated. “There isn’t any want for a refund to them now as a result of the tour can nonetheless happen and happen as beforehand scheduled.”
Nevertheless, a number of F1 sources have advised ESPN that the race is not going to proceed it doesn’t matter what occurs over the following few months.
It’s probably that F1 will attempt to fill the void within the calendar with one other race.
The Russian Grand Prix was added to the F1 calendar in 2014 after a deal was struck between Vladimir Putin and former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
Putin distributed trophies on the rostrum for the highest three locations within the two locations in 2014 and 2015.
4-times world champion Sebastian Vettel stated on Thursday he would boycott the occasion if it continued.
F1 is internet hosting pre-season testing at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this week. The US workforce Haas is participating in Friday’s race with a white automotive, having made the choice to drop the model from its Russian backers Uralkali.
Uralkali banners have additionally been faraway from the workforce’s motorhome and vehicles on the observe.
Uralkali founder Dmitry Mazepin, father of Haas driver Nikita, was one of many enterprise leaders who met Putin on the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday to debate sanctions towards Russia. Mazepin and Uralkali are usually not at the moment a part of these sanctions.
Haas will determine the way forward for Nikita Mazepin and Uralkali’s care subsequent week.
