F1 must 'align with other sports' in Russian conflict reaction

Russian Grand Prix

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F1 must 'align with other sports' in Russian conflict reaction

The Russian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on September 25

Sam Hall

Thursday 24 February 2022 21:44

Williams team principal and CEO Jost Capito has urged the sporting world to 'align' in the "kind of reaction" it gives to the Russian conflict with Ukraine.

F1, its teams and the FIA is to discuss whether to axe this year's Russian Grand Prix after a number of drivers voiced concerns, with Sebastian Vettel, in particular, stating he would boycott the event should it go ahead.

The meeting comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a "special military operation" on Thursday with troops crossing the border. Ukraine has now described the incursion as a "full-scale invasion".

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Asked if he would back drivers Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi were they to decide not to race in Russia even if the September event were to go ahead, Capito said: “That is not a question that we are looking into right now.

"The first thing is, it’s a very bad situation with Russia and Ukraine and I think the FIA and FOM, they are in charge of it, the are on top of it and they will also talk to other organisations and they will take the right decisions.

“When this decision is taken, then we go from there.

“There are other sporting events ahead. When you see the Champions League final in Saint Petersburg, sports should be aligned in what kind of reaction they show.”

UEFA, the European governing body behind the Champions League, has confirmed that like F1, it will hold a meeting on Thursday night with "decisions" to be taken on Friday.

"UEFA shares the international community’s significant concern for the security situation developing in Europe and strongly condemns the ongoing Russian military invasion in Ukraine," read the UEFA statement.

"As the governing body of European football, UEFA is working tirelessly to develop and promote football according to common European values such as peace and respect for human rights, in the spirit of the Olympic Charter. We remain resolute in our solidarity with the football community in Ukraine and stand ready to extend our hand to the Ukrainian people.

"We are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Decisions will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and announced tomorrow."