RAF questions ban of Russian race drivers
Mar.3 - Russia's automobile federation (RAF) has questioned whether banning Russian drivers from Formula 1 and other categories is "discriminatory".
Although this year's Sochi race has been cancelled and Haas must remove the Russian tricolours from its 2022 car, Nikita Mazepin was given a green light from the FIA to keep racing.
Ultimately, the 22-year-old may have to leave F1 if his father's company Uralkali cannot return to the livery.
But just a day after the FIA sanctions were revealed, Britain's Motorsport UK authority says Mazepin will not be permitted to contest the British GP at Silverstone later this year.
"This decision was made in full consultation with the UK government and national sports governing bodies to ensure that there is a unilateral response to the crisis," said chairman David Richards.
"It is our duty to use whatever influence and leverage we might have to bring this wholly unjustified invasion of Ukraine to a halt."
According to RAF president Viktor Nikolayevich Kiryanov, though, he will do whatever he can to "protect the interests of Russian athletes and Russian motorsport".
RAF also released a statement questioning the FIA's adherence to its policies against "discrimination".
Interestingly, the World Motor Sport Council this week elected not to expel the RAF from the FIA.
Former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat insists he is "horrified" by the situation in Ukraine, but he believes "sport should remain outside of politics".
"By disallowing Russian athletes and teams from participating in world competitions is an unfair solution and goes against what sport teaches us in principle - unity and peace," said the Russian.
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, meanwhile, wonders if David Richards-led Motorsport UK even has the power to ban Mazepin from Silverstone.
"If he is contracted to Haas when the British GP takes place, he can drive," the 91-year-old told Agence France-Presse.
"Even if Mazepin is not driving, it would make no difference to anyone. It certainly is not punishing Putin by stopping him."
Ecclestone also slammed the FIA's decision to cancel the race at Sochi that he originally organised in direct collaboration with Vladimir Putin.
"There is no war in Russia to my knowledge so if it took place it would make no difference to anybody," he said. "It would not affect anyone at all.
"This idea of trying to punish Russia this way in a sporting sense is not going to punish Putin at all. The race would not matter to him or affect him at adversely.
"What's he going to do, stop the invasion? It's all ridiculous, this 'Oh we must do something to help' but they don't do anything but talk, as there is nothing anyone can do."
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Nothing questionable in the big picture.
OK, I give up, Bernie is, along with Enzo, the most influential person in modern F1 but he has completely moved on to the land of doltdom.
Re banning the Russian kid is a bit like shooting the messenger but sometime you just gotta' flip to auto and spray the whole bunch of 'em.
Seems Haas dropped the Russian like a cup of poison. Lol ouch
Bernie is right again as always
Sounds like we would be better off by banning Bernie.
Sometimes you just need to discriminate to emphasise your position regarding an issue.
In this case the discrimination is justified. To do otherwise would be showing support for Bernie's close friend Vladimir Putin's Hitler style invasion of Ukraine.
Stunned and callous…way to rack up the attributes there Bernie. I would never have guessed you were 93 already.
Son of a fisherman, school dropout, motorcycle repairman and used car salesman, lousy racer but better team owner, built modern F1 into what it is today (for better or worse), refused knighthood when offered, currently multi-billionaire, married to beauty 50 yrs his junior, children ranging in age from 65 to 3 yrs, and a recently confirmed dotard. Always spoke his mind, right or wrong. Oh, and he's still got great hair. Sounds like a normal life to me. Headstone: I was not a king, I made kings. Long live Bernie.
Love it Ror, the perfect eulogy
Well put. He has his legacy, and he is a quote machine. Nevertheless, his day as a modern-day pundit is passed.
And I thought Bernie was an oligarch how little I know,, tut, tut.
Racism no less. Why isn't Lulu speaking out?
It seems Lulu has learnt his lesson and isn't preaching to the world anymore, thank fuck for that i say
I'm with you Shropp...
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