MADRID, 28 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) will decide this Tuesday at an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council whether or not to exclude Russian drivers and teams from their competitions, in response to their country’s offensive in Ukraine.
The measure would affect, among others, Formula 1 racers such as Nikita Mazepin (Haas); His father, Russian-Belarusian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, is a personal friend of President Vladimir Putin and a main backer of Haas through his company, Uralkali.
The Ukrainian Automobile Federation requested that Mazepin not be allowed to race outside of Russia. The 22-year-old driver from Moscow did not participate in the last day of last pre-season test, while the team erased any trace of Uralkali and the Russian flag from his car.
In addition to Mazepin, the possible suspension would also cut short the future in the ‘Great Circus’ of Daniil Kvyat, ex-AlphaTauri driver and current Alpine reserve driver, and Robert Shwartzman, Ferrari test driver.
Last Friday, Formula 1 decided to cancel the Russian Grand Prix that was to be held at the Sochi circuit at the end of September due to the war started by the Russian country with its invasion of Ukraine.
On the other hand, the FIA confirmed that “given the current circumstances” the 2022 Intercontinental Drifting Cup, scheduled to be held at the Sochi Autodrome (Rusai) in June, will not be held.
“The FIA is watching the events in Ukraine with sadness and shock and looks forward to a speedy resolution of the current situation. The FIA’s thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine.”