By James Simons-
The Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been cancelled as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.An F1 statement said it had been agreed at a meeting of stakeholders “that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances”.
The Russian Grand Prix was due to take place on 25 September in Sochi but could not possibly go ahead given the seriousness of the situation. The Grand Prix added that F1 was watching the ongoing situation in Ukraine “with sadness and shock and hopes for a swift and peaceful resolution”.
Haas team boss Gunther Steiner has said the future of his driver Nikita Mazepin “needs to resolved”.
Steiner said the team had “legal issues to go through” in an apparent hint the US-based outfit are trying to split from Mazepin and the sponsorship money that comes from his father Dmitry – a billionaire with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Haas had already removed the logos advertising Mazepin’s company before Friday’s final day of this week’s pre-season test in Barcelona.
Steiner said the team would work on the situation next week, but insisted the future of Haas in F1 was not in doubt. The Russian Grand Prix is closely associated with Putin, who was instrumental in it being established in 2014 in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi, where he has a palace.
On Thursday, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel said he would not race in Russia if the race went ahead.
The German said: “I should not go, I will not go. It is wrong to race in the country.
“I am sorry for the innocent people who are being killed for stupid reasons and a very strange and mad leadership.”
His thoughts were echoed by world champion Max Verstappen, who said: “When a country is at war it is not right to race there.”
Mazepin was among the drivers on track during Friday’s morning testing session in Barcelona
Haas are owned by the US billionaire Gene Haas, who welcomed Mazepin’s money before last season to reduce his own investment in the team.
Mazepin has been an underwhelming performer, and Putin’s decision looks likely to end his F1 career.
Asked about the Mazepins’ involvement, Steiner said: “It needs to be resolved. There are governments involved and I have no power over them and we need to see how the situation develops in Ukraine.”
And referencing the decision to remove the stickers advertising Mazepin’s father’s company and the colour scheme on the car, which echoed the Russian flag, Steiner said: “We made a decision yesterday with our team partners.
“I need to work on the rest next week. There is no setback for the competition side of the team, none at all. We just have to go through the commercial issues.
“The team are not affected by this. I told them there is nothing to worry about. We took the right decision to send a message
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to the change in many previously arranged plans, with air routes suddenly being changed , following the withdrawal of flights to Russia by many airlines. The invasion has already led to wide ranging sanctions against Russia by the UK, the EU and The U.S
Russian tanks escalated their attack on Friday when they entered the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, bombarding the city with explosions and gunfire.
Local residents were urged to fight back with Molotov cocktails against the encroaching Russian forces, which appear to be moving through the suburb of Obolon – just over five miles north of the city centre and its parliamentary buildings.
A Ukrainian government adviser said on Friday he expected Russia to try to break into Kyiv during the day. Residents in the capital were urged to proceed to shelters due to an air raid alarm.