F1, FIA reviews sanctions on Russia
The FIA and F1 change their stance towards Russia and Belarus and partially lift the restrictions introduced after the invasion of Ukraine. Since 2022, drivers, teams, and race officials from the two countries could participate in FIA international competitions only under certain conditions, including the inability to represent their country and signing a commitment to political neutrality.
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The meeting of August 3 of the World Motor Sport Council, followed by a communication from the FIA Legal Office published a few minutes ago, has canceled these provisions: now Russian and Belarusian drivers, as well as teams and race officials, can take part in international competitions without signing the neutrality commitment, also using national symbols, including obviously the anthem and flag. Their involvement will however be “subject to compliance with all applicable transnational, national, and local laws“.
The ban on organizing international competitions remains in force, so F1 will not be able to return to Russia until further notice: the last edition of this GP will remain, at least in the short term, that of 2021, chaotically won by Lewis Hamilton ahead of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
The Federation has emphasized that it continues to closely monitor the evolution of the war in Ukraine and reserves the right to reintroduce measures and restrictions if necessary.
The FIA thus distinguishes itself from the FIM, which continues to completely exclude Russian and Belarusian drivers and representatives from its competitions.
