As Formula 1 preseason testing begins with a three-day test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, an international incident has caused a difficulty for the world's most preeminent form of auto racing. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine early Thursday, the status of F1's Russian Grand Prix became a point of contention to the level that the race will not be held in 2022.
On Friday, Formula 1 announced that this year's Russian Grand Prix, which had been scheduled for September at Sochi Autodrom, has been cancelled after a Thursday night meeting between F1, its race teams and officials from the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
F1 came to the conclusion, citing the view of relevant stakeholders, that "it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances."
According to a report by Jerome Pugmire of the Associated Press, Russia's invasion of Ukraine as it related to the Russian Grand Prix was a major point of discussion in the paddock at preseason testing. Former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel declared that he would not race in Russia, while defending world champion Max Verstappen intimated that action from Formula 1 in regards to the race was necessary.
"I think when a country is at war it's not correct to race there, that's for sure," Verstappen said. "But it's not only what I think, it's the whole paddock (that is) going to decide what we are going to do next."
Formula 1 has held the Russian Grand Prix each year since 2014, and the race has been set to expand in prominence in 2023 with a move from Sochi Autodrom to Igora Drive in the St. Petersburg region.
Beyond the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix, the international fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also created a difficulty for Russian driver Nikita Mazepin. Mazepin, who drives for Haas F1 Team, brings sponsorship from Russian company Uralkali, of which his father Dmitry is a key shareholder.
Thursday, Haas F1 Team removed Uralkali's branding and logo from its car. According to a report by Nate Saunders of ESPN, team executive Guenther Steiner stated Friday that Mazepin's status "needs to be resolved" amid government sanctions surrounding Russia.
"To my fans and followers - it's a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done. I'm choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my best for my @HaasF1Team," read a statement by Mazepin. "My deepest thanks for your understanding and support."
This is not the first time that political issues in Russia have led to F1's withdrawal, as the first iteration of the Russian Grand Prix was abandoned after 1914 following the outbreak of World War I and never resumed after the establishment of the Soviet Union. A Grand Prix of the Soviet Union in Moscow was planned to be on the 1983 schedule, but was never run due to bureaucratic issues.
