Formula One aimed to take a peaceful solution amid the growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
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The Russian GP was called off on Friday after the country’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, the Formula One announced in a statement. The decision came after Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali and the chief of 10 teams discussed the status of the race on a Thursday evening call. The Russian GP was originally scheduled to take place on September 25 but will not go ahead after the country launched an initial full-scale invasion on Ukraine which included air and missile strikes on military facilities before troops and tanks rolled across borders, as per reports.
Formula One highlighted that it aims to take a peaceful solution amid the growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
“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,” an official statement said.
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Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel took an early stance against racing at the Russian GP. His decision came after the shocking news of Russian president Vladimir Putin defiantly announcing that he was launching a military operation and Ukraine government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border.
Vettel also felt sorry for the innocent people whose lives are at stake due to the situation. “I woke up to this morning’s news shocked. I think it’s horrible to see what is happening. Obviously if you look at the calendar we have a race scheduled in Russia (on Sept. 25),” Vettel said Thursday at pre-season testing in Barcelona.
“My own opinion is I should not go, I will not go
“I think it’s wrong to race in the country. I’m sorry for the innocent people that are losing their lives, that are getting killed (for) stupid reasons and a very strange and mad leadership,” he added.
The German veteran is also the head of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association but highlighted that the matter is still to discuss in the close proximity.
“I’m sure it’s something we’ll talk about,” the Aston Martin driver said.
“But personally I’m shocked and sad to see what’s going on, so we will see going forward but I think my decision is already made.”
The secretary general of NATO Jens Stoltenberg mentioned that Russia shattered peace and development on the European continent.
