F1 now concerned about covid, inflation & Russia
Mar.18 - It's not just the ongoing covid crisis that is endangering the 2022 Formula 1 season.
All the race promoters got together in Bahrain last week to discuss the potential impact on the sport of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has already caused the cancellation of the Sochi race.
"Yes, some countries are closer to this conflict zone than others, but no formal decisions have yet been taken apart from Russia, of course," Francois Dumontier, the Canadian GP promoter, told La Presse Canadienne.
"F1 will not deliberately go into armed conflict zones, but if all goes well there will be 23 races for the first time."
At the same time, covid cases are back on the rise across Europe and the world, with some drivers calling for F1 to allow drivers who are only mildly ill to keep racing.
"F1 and the FIA remain on the lookout for the health situation, and if they need to take action, they will," Dumontier said.
"I know that they already have a few replacement countries, which we also saw in 2020 and 2021, and each of the promoters is following the situation closely in their respective countries."
Finally, the spiralling problem of global inflation has many in Formula 1 nervous, with some team bosses calling for the budget cap to be reconsidered.
"It affects us too," said Dumontier, "in that while we have long-term contracts with our suppliers, we are experiencing what many other companies are experiencing - a labour shortage."
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Unnecessary to be overly worried about COVID or Russia anymore.
I was wrong, usually there's only one in each village..!
It seems to me that F1 have decided to include Russia now. What a turnaround. Marvelous what money controls. I think that this will add to the disgrace coming from the last race in 2021. Cannot find words to describe my disgust with F1 management. Really shows your obvious concern for Ukraine and support for a despot like Putin. I doubt that the rest of the world's sporting entities will be very proud of you especially since most teams have their headquarters in England. I would not be surprised if a number of drivers boycott a Russian GP.
If the announcement to go to Russia was false news I apologise but I somehow doubt it.
False news.
Yes, Since found out. My sincere apologies.