FIA meets over Russian drivers and members status
As the world begins to react to the events taking place in Ukraine, among them is the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the world motorsport governing body which also oversees Formula One.
Among Formula One’s drivers is Russian national, Nikita Mazepin, who drives for American team, Haas. The team ran an all-white livery on the final day of the F1 testing rather than its usual livery which prominently displays the logo of Russian chemical company, Uralkali.
While countries like the US and Canada have opted to close their doors to Russian flights and products, the FIA has taken a different approach, opting to allow Russian and Belarusian drivers to compete under a neutral flag. The decision was made during a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday. The meeting, announced by FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, was called to discuss “the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.”
“As you know, the FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation,” said Sulayem.
“We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine. I would like to stress that the FIA, together with our promoters, proactively acted on this matter last week and communicated accordingly on the Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the International Drifting Cup. An updated version of the different FIA International Calendars will be presented to the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.”
The meeting not only discussed the matter of Russian and Belarusian drivers, but also the fate of the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix, originally scheduled for September this year. In addition, it tackled the status of Russian and Belarussian drivers in the sport who are typically signed-on for multi-year contracts and therefore cannot anticipate such events.
The council members made the following rulings to take immediate effect:
"Council members approved the following, in line with the International Olympic Committee recommendations, with immediate effect: No international/zone competitions to take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice; No flag/symbol or anthem of Russia/Belarus to be used in international/zone competitions, until further notice; No Russian/Belarusian national teams to participate in international/zone competitions (e.g. FIA Motorsport Games), until further notice; Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice; No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colors, flags (uniform, equipment and car)- should be displayed or anthems should be played at international/zone competitions, until further notice…”
The council will vote on whether Russian/Belarusian FIA Members may continue to serve and receive grants as well as whether to proceed with the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix later this year.
The FIA President added: “I want to thank the Council members for their prompt action in deciding these measures in the interests of sport and peace. We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU) and the wider FIA family in the country. The measures taken today recognize the authority of the FAU in Ukraine and are also aligned with the recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee. We are in active discussions with our members as we continue to extend our compassion and support in their time of need. We sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution to their intolerable hardship.”