Russia has been stripped of Formula One Grand Prix.
Gatekeepers News reports that Formula One bosses on Friday, announced the removal of Russian Grand Prix from its calendar following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This means the Russian Grand Prix will not be part of the Formula One season this year.
On Thursday, Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel said he would boycott the Sochi Grand Prix, calling for F1 chiefs to axe it from its 2022 calendar as he became the first driver to speak out against Russia.
Although the F1 officials were initially stalling on the decision saying they were monitoring the situation ‘very closely’, they decided to pull the plug on the race, due to be held on September 25, today.
A statement on Friday afternoon read, “The FIA Formula One World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together.
“We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
“On Thursday evening Formula One, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”
The loss of the Grand Prix came just hours after UEFA handed Paris the Champions League final at the end of the football season as sport continued to turn on Russia.
Vette, F1 Aston Martin driver on Thursday said, “In my personal opinion, obviously I woke up again after this morning’s news, shocked.
“I think it’s horrible to see what is happening. Obviously if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia.
“For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in that country. I’m sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership.
“I’m sure it’s something we will talk about, but as I said as GDPA (Grand Drivers’ Prix Association), we haven’t come together yet.”
