Banning Russian athletes is an 'unfair solution', claims ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat

Former Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat says Russians must not be banned from sport amid the crisis in Ukraine.

F1's governing body, the FIA, had staged an emergency summit on Tuesday (1 March) to determine the fate of F1's sole Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin.READ | Russia's Nikita Mazepin is cleared to race in F1, but he'll have to do it under a neutral flagEarlier on Tuesday, a statement made by the FIA said the world motorsport council has decided the following regarding the current Russia/Ukraine situation: "Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors, and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the "FIA flag" subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA's principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice."No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment, and car)- should be displayed, or anthems should be played at international/zone competitions, until further notice.While the FIA has cleared Nikita Mazepin to race in the 2022 season, the Haas F1 team is yet to decide the young driver's fate.

Kvyat, 27, is due to compete in the World Endurance Championship this year but will be expelled if the FIA moves to banish Russian drivers.

FIFA and UEFA have banned Russian clubs and national sides from all competitions after the International Olympic Committee's call for Russian and Belarussian athletes to be prevented from competing in international events.

But Kvyat, who has raced for Red Bull and scored four podiums in 110 Grands Prix, said: "I would also like to highlight and address all sports federations across the world, including the IOC, that sport should remain outside politics, and disallowing