Formula 1 announced today that the Russian Grand Prix scheduled for September at Sochi Autodrom has been cancelled. This came after a Thursday night meeting between Formula One teams and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile. The race at the Black Sea resort of Sochi was “impossible” to stage, according to an Associated Press story out of London.
Moreover, the American team Haas abandoned the sponsorship of Russian company Uralkali during preseason testing now going on in Barcelona. Nikita Mazepin of Haas is the only Russian driver in F1 for the impending 2022 season. The sponsorship is a Russian company Uralkali, where his father Dmitry is a shareholder.
“We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation,” F1 said in a statement.
The AP estimates that Sochi and St. Petersburg stand to lose tens of millions of dollars in losing out on hosting the Champions League soccer final – also cancelled – and the Russian GP. Champions League finals can generate more than $50 million for host cities. There are ancillary benefits too as well – more tourism, more jobs and, ahem, a better image on the global stage.
According to a report by the Associated Press Former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel (driving then for Ferrari) declared that he would not race in Russia. Defending world champion Max Verstappen hinted that action from Formula 1 in regard to the race was necessary. “I think when a country is at war it’s not correct to race there, that’s for sure,” Verstappen said. “But it’s not only what I think, it’s the whole paddock (that is) going to decide what we are going to do next.”
Formula 1 has held the Russian Grand Prix each year since 2014, and the race has been set to expand in prominence in 2023 with a move from Sochi Autodrom to Igora Drive in the St. Petersburg region.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
NYET! Russian Grand Prix in Sochi Cancelled
Moreover, the American team Haas abandoned the sponsorship of Russian company Uralkali during preseason testing now going on in Barcelona. Nikita Mazepin of Haas is the only Russian driver in F1 for the impending 2022 season. The sponsorship is a Russian company Uralkali, where his father Dmitry is a shareholder.
“We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation,” F1 said in a statement.
The AP estimates that Sochi and St. Petersburg stand to lose tens of millions of dollars in losing out on hosting the Champions League soccer final – also cancelled – and the Russian GP. Champions League finals can generate more than $50 million for host cities. There are ancillary benefits too as well – more tourism, more jobs and, ahem, a better image on the global stage.
According to a report by the Associated Press Former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel (driving then for Ferrari) declared that he would not race in Russia. Defending world champion Max Verstappen hinted that action from Formula 1 in regard to the race was necessary. “I think when a country is at war it’s not correct to race there, that’s for sure,” Verstappen said. “But it’s not only what I think, it’s the whole paddock (that is) going to decide what we are going to do next.”
Formula 1 has held the Russian Grand Prix each year since 2014, and the race has been set to expand in prominence in 2023 with a move from Sochi Autodrom to Igora Drive in the St. Petersburg region.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.