The Russian Grand Prix which was set to schedule from 23rd September 2022 to 25th September 2022, at Sochi Autodrom has been called off.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the F1 board has decided to cancel the Russian Grand Prix 2022. On Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched its invasion of Ukraine. The permanent circuit built around the Olympic Park in Sochi, which takes place over 53 laps of the 5.848-kilometre, is part of the Formula One World Championship. The race was first held briefly in the 1910s in Saint Petersburg of the Russian Empire.
Formula One’s CEO Stefano Domenicali had called a meeting, on Thursday night, with the team principals and FIA to discuss to whether proceed with the Russian Grand Prix or not. After the decision of UEFA to move its UCL final away from St. Petersburg, Russia and the cancellation of next week’s ATP Challenger Tournament which was to be held in Moscow, the Formula One board has decided to cancel the races in Russia.
Earlier, Formula One World Champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen stepped off from racing in Russia due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”If you look at the calendar we have a race scheduled in Russia. For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in the country.” He further stated that his decision is already made.
Verstappen also expressed that when a country is at war, it’s not right to race there. “Formula One has stated through Twitter mentioning ” that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances,” reported Sky Sports.
A statement on the Russian Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/OZbbu9Z8ip
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 25, 2022
There hasn’t been any official announcement about the new shifting of the race, though many sources are confirming that the Russian GP might shift to Turkey.
