The FIA has reiterated its position against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and has now revealed that drivers from Russia and Belarus must sign a declaration in order to compete in FIA sanctioned events.
Vladimir Putin ordered troops to enter Ukraine last week, leading to fighting throughout the country and over one million people being displaced so far.
The FIA responded by cancelling the Russian Grand Prix that was due to be held in September, and Formula 1 has terminated its contract with Russia, meaning that no race will take place in the country for the foreseeable future.
The FIA “unequivocally condemns” the war Russia has started on its neighbour, and has outlined the following rules drivers from either Russia or Belarus – which is aiding the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine – must adhere to.
“Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in an individual and neutral capacity as Authorised Neutral Drivers (AND) or Authorised Neutral Competitors (AND) or Authorised Neutral Officials (ANO), subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles o fpeace and political neutrality, until further notice,” the emergency regulations state.
“This decision applies to drivers of Russian/Belarusian nationality and to drivers of any another nationality competing under the Russian or Belarusian ASN.
“Any Russian/Belarusian driver or other driver competing under the Russian or Belarusian ASN who does not sign a declaration committing to adhere to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality will not be allowed to participate in any international/zone competitions.”
They then reiterated that “any refusal or failure to comply with the WMSC decisions will constitute a breach of Article 12.2.1.e of the International Sporting Code, and may result in the imposition of a penalty or sanction under Article 1.3.2 or Article 12 of the International Sporting Code, Article 4.4 or Article 25 of the FIA Statutes, Article 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, or under any other applicable provision of the FIA rules and regulations.”
They confirmed that “no international/zone competition” will “take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice.”
They have also precluded any “flag/symbol or anthem of Russia/Belarus to be used in international/zone competitions, until further notice.”
This means that Uralkali, name partner of the Haas team, will not have their branding appear on the car of team apparel and, due to heavy sanctions imposed on Russia’s financial sector, the American racing outfit has parted ways with the company.
This has subsequently resulted in Nikita Mazepin losing his seat at the Haas F1 Team just ahead of the 2022 season getting underway later this month.