Formula 1
FIA will allow Russian drivers to compete in ‘neutral capacity’
Russian drivers will be allowed to continue competing in FIA sanctioned events, motor racing's governing body decided on Tuesday, but only in a neutral capacity and under the ‘FIA flag’.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Mar 2, 2022, 9:23 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Following an extraordinary meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday, it announced a raft of measures in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
While there had been calls from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to bar all Russian competitors from events, the FIA elected not to go that far.
In a statement the FIA said that it had approved that: “Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice.”
However, it has said that no competitions will take place in Russia or Belarus until further notice, and no flag, symbol or anthem of those countries will be allowed at any FIA event.
The FIA also formally cancelled this year’s Russian Grand Prix, with the governing body having the only regulatory authority to officially call off the race under force majeure.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “As you know, the FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
“We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine.
“I would like to stress that the FIA, together with our promoters, proactively acted on this matter last week and communicated accordingly on the Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the International Drifting Cup. An updated version of the different FIA International Calendars will be presented to the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.”
As well as the ban on events, the FIA has said that no Russian or Belarusian national teams will be allowed to compete in international or zone competitions, such as the Motorsport Games.
Russian and Belarusian members of FIA Commissions will also be required to step down from their roles temporarily.
Ben Sulayem added: “I want to thank the Council members for their prompt action in deciding these measures in the interests of sport and peace. We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU) and the wider FIA family in the country.
“The measures taken today recognise the authority of the FAU in Ukraine and are also aligned with the recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee. We are in active discussions with our members as we continue to extend our compassion and support in their time of need. We sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution to their intolerable hardship.”
The decision to allow Russian drivers to continue competing means that Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin is not automatically forced out of grand prix racing, with his fate at the American-owned team now set to be finalised over the next few days.
The Haas squad issued a firm 'no comment' when prompted for reaction to the news of the FIA's decision on Tuesday night.
Read Also:
- Kvyat says banning of Russian athletes is "unfair"
- Andretti surprised by negativity surrounding F1 team plans
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article What's behind Williams' unique F1 sidepod hole
Next article Sainz: We can push harder with new 18-inch F1 tyres
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Christian Horner admits he doesn't need F1 return after £67 million Red Bull payout
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
12 min
Christian Horner admits he doesn't need F1 return after £67 million Red Bull payout
Jorge Martin braced for “really difficult, painful” MotoGP weekend with broken arm
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
15 min
Jorge Martin braced for “really difficult, painful” MotoGP weekend with broken arm
Alex Marquez moves to end MotoGP Qatar GP speculation: 'The race is confirmed'
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Alex Marquez moves to end MotoGP Qatar GP speculation: 'The race is confirmed'
Jorge Martin declared fit to start Malaysian GP weekend
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Jorge Martin declared fit to start Malaysian GP weekend
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe