Formula One ‘closely watching’ Ukraine situation amid Russian GP uncertainty

Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin ordered a “specialised military operation”; Formula One’s Russian Grand Prix is scheduled for September 25 in Sochi

Sochi has hosted the Russian Grand Prix since 2014

Formula One says it is “closely watching” events in Ukraine but offered no comment on whether September’s Russian Grand Prix will go ahead.

The sport’s bosses released a statement on Thursday after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine following President Vladimir Putin’s order of a “specialised military operation”.

The race in Sochi, which has been on the F1 calendar since 2014, is set to take place on September 25.

An F1 spokesperson said: “Formula One is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it is inconceivable that the Champions League final should take place in St Petersburg in Russia given the political situation in Ukraine.

“We will continue to monitor the situation very closely.”

The Russian race at Sochi’s Olympic Park is due to move to Igora Drive, 40 miles north of St Petersburg, from 2023.

UEFA on Thursday announced its executive committee would hold an extraordinary meeting on Friday, with European football’s governing body already having been understood to be considering moving this season’s Champions League final away from St Petersburg.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday there is “no chance” Russia will be allowed to host major football tournaments as a result of its decision to “invade a sovereign country”.

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Haas driver Nikita Mazepin is confident the Russian GP will go ahead and is a ‘supporter of sport without politics’.

Formula One’s only Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin, told Sky Sports News on Wednesday that he was “not struggling” with the situation and that he expected the Russian Grand Prix to go ahead.

“I’m not struggling at all because I’ve always been a big supporter of sports without politics,” the Haas driver said during pre-season testing in Barcelona.

“Of course, from the understanding that we’ve had with Formula 1, the race is going and you will surely see me there.”