BARCELONA, Spain – Formula 1 officials have officially canceled the Russian Grand Prix amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that started earlier this week.
The news comes after a meeting of team officials with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali Thursday evening.
“The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together,” read a statement from Formula 1 officials. “We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”
The current iteration of the Russian Grand Prix has been a part of the Formula 1 schedule since 2014 and has been held at the Sochi Autodrom. Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas are the only drivers to win the event since it returned to the Formula 1 calendar.
In related news, Haas F1 Team officials have removed all the branding of the team’s major sponsor, Russia’s Uralkali, from its cars prior to Friday’s test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Uralkali is a potash fertilizer producer that is a major supporter of Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, who drives for the Haas F1 Team.
It is unknown if Uralkali and Mazepain will remain with the Haas F1 Team following the pre-season test in Spain.