Can the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix still take place?

After the organized doping scandal of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, including the circuit of F1 takes over a large part of the installations, Russia was ostracized by the CAS (Tribunal Arbitral for Sport) on December 17, 2020 by being banned from international competitions for 2 years. Russian athletes could, however, continue to compete on an individual basis, under a neutral banner and without a national flag. Without an anthem, therefore, in the event of victory.

The arrival in 2021 of URALKALI, the Russian chemical industry company led by the father of Nikita mazepin, as main partner of the American team Haas, had already caused a lot of ink to flow due to the livery of the single-seaters openly inspired by the Russian tricolor. We cannot blame Gene Haas, the captain of industry at the head of the team, who was keen to ensure the sustainability of his team and the safety of the employees involved in this adventure. Unlike gasoline, silver has no odor, but both are essential to power a Formula 1 car.

Slowdown for Haas F1 Team? © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

The tragic current events now raise the question of maintaining international sporting events on Russian territory. A question open for several days well beyond the little Landerneau of Formula 1. Our major reporters present in Barcelona for the pre-season tests had already sounded the alarm during the night, informing us that the Russian stage was absent from the list of events open to the official F1 ticket office... which is due to a computer bug. At a time of sanctions against Russia, the subject is now on the table of sporting authorities.

Ross Brawn © Francois Flamand / DPPI

Liberty Media and the FIA ​​must take the time to reflect and consult before deciding. The Covid pandemic showed us that many circuits were ready to organize a replacement Grand Prix or a double-header (two GPs in a row over 2 weekends) in a short time. Turkey and the Jerez circuit have already positioned themselves as declared candidates for a replacement event in 2022.

F1 briefly reacted this morning: “Like many, Formula 1 is closely monitoring the latest developments in real time and has no comment at this time on the race scheduled for September. We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully”

Mick Schumacher is on track this morning at the wheel of the VF-22 © DC

Mixing sport and politics has never gone well together, but burying its head in the sand could have much more serious consequences for Formula 1 if it failed to send a clear message to its fans and commercial partners.