The FIA has called an emergency meeting of the World Motor Sport Council after the Ukrainian Automobile Federation requested the suspension of all Russian drivers from all motorsport competitions following Russia’s invasion of their country.
Ukraine has been under attack from Russia since Thursday, to which Formula 1 reacted quickly by removing the Russian GP from this year’s calendar, and now the place of the only Russian driver Nikita Mazepin is in question after a request from the Ukrainian Automobile Federation to exclude Russian drivers from all competitions.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wrote to the Ukrainian Automobile Federation that he would ‘provide them with the full support of the FIA’ in the current situation, after which a request arrived to expel all Russian drivers.
Today’s recommendation of the International Olympic Committee that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials do not participate in international competitions puts additional pressure on the FIA and Formula 1, since the FIA has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 2012.
The FIA confirmed in a brief statement that it will hold a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council tomorrow to discuss the issue.
“An extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council will be held tomorrow to discuss matters related to the current crisis in Ukraine.”
“We will provide additional information after the meeting.”
Haas pulled the first move during pre-season testing by removing the logos of Russia’s main sponsor Uralkali, owned by Mazepa’s father, on Friday, and removing blue and red stripes that combine with the white surface to resemble the Russian tricolor.
Mazepin wrote on his Twitter account that he is not in control of much of what is being said and done, but that he will focus on what he can do, and that is to do his best behind the wheel of a Haas F1 car.
2022 Mazepin Haas Barcelona pre-season F1 test C2 tyre Photo Pirelli Edited by MAXF1.net
2022 F1 Formula 1 Mazepin Haas VF-22 Barcelona Test Day 3 No Uralkali sponsor white livery Photo Haas F1 Team Edited by MAXF1.net
