F1 and FIA to discuss Russian GP axe with teams

Mattia Binotto has revealed F1, its teams and the FIA will meet on Thursday evening for "a deep discussion" on the "awful" conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The Russian Grand Prix is set to take place on September 25 but after President Vladimir Putin sent troops across the border for a "special military operation", severe doubts have been placed on the event.

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has declared he will boycott the Sochi race after being 'horrified and shocked' by the events of recent days.

F1 released a statement on Thursday morning confirming it was "very closely" monitoring the quickly evolving situation with Binotto later confirming talks will take place in the paddock this evening.

"Obviously, I think it is a worry. It is an awful situation, it is very sad. I think at the moment what we can do is only to wait and see and hope for the best," explained Binotto

“I think from now to the race in September, there is time and my wish is that everything will stop very soon.

“F1 as F1 is trying to manage the situation. We will have a meeting between us tonight to try to understand what the situation is and how to cope and how to manage it.

“At the moment we can only, not stand by, but certainly try to have between us a deep discussion and understand all of the implications and make the right choice for the future.

“But F1 in that situation is not the most important one. What is most important is what is happening there which, as I said, is very sad.”

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