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- Turkey suggested as replacement for Russia GP
- Russia’s Nikita Mazepin believes race in Sochi will go ahead
Formula One’s Russian Grand Prix could be under threat as a result of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian troops moved across the border and into Ukraine on 24th February, prompting international condemnation and likely further sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime from the UK, US and European Union.
The act of military aggression also has repercussions for international events set to be staged in Russia, with questions initially arising over the viability of European club soccer’s 2022 Uefa Champions League final in St Petersburg and Formula One’s annual Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom.
Formula One’s provisional calendar has the Russian Grand Prix currently slated to take place in September, but the series could now opt to move or replace the race.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Formula One issued a statement regarding the race in Sochi. It read: ‘F1 is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely.’
Various reports suggest that Turkey, which has stepped in last-minute to host races during the Covid-19 pandemic, could replace the Russian Grand Prix if it is cancelled.
Tickets for a 2022 Turkish Grand Prix were put on sale on Formula One’s website but, according to The Race, this was the result of an administrative error.
Formula One’s only Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin, however, believes the race in Russia will go ahead.
“From the understanding that we’ve had with Formula One the race is going ahead and you will surely see me there,” he said to Sky Sports.
“I have always been a big supporter of sports without politics.”
