Cancelling the Russian Grand Prix made no sense at all, says ex F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone

 • The FIA cancelled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix on Friday, 25 February. • FIA announced on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian drivers could participate in motor sports. • Ex F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says punishing the country would not punish President Vladimir Putin.

The decision to cancel the Russian Grand Prix due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine "does not make sense", former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone told AFP on Wednesday.

The race scheduled for 25 September in Sochi - the final year the city was due to host the race before it moves to Saint Petersburg - was cancelled by Formula One last Friday (25 Feb).

Ecclestone, who over several decades transformed the sport into a global multi-billion-dollar commercial giant, said he did not understand how the FIA reached its decision.

Ecclestone was pivotal to F1 heading to Russia, with the Black Sea resort of Sochi first hosting the race in 2014.

"It does not make sense whichever way you look at," he told AFP by phone. "There is no war in Russia to my knowledge so if it took place it would make no difference to anybody.

"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 (Russian President Vladimir) Putin at all."

Ecclestone, 91, said losing the Russian Grand Prix for this year was just a gesture and one that will do nothing to change Putin's mind.

"The race would not matter to him (Putin) or affect him adversely," said Ecclestone.

"What is he going to do, stop the invasion?

"It is all ridiculous, all these things they keep threatening to do. 'Oh we must do something to help' but they don't do anything but talk, as there is nothing anyone can do."

The sporting world has punished Russia heavily since