F1 fans call for Russian Grand Prix boycott as Ukraine war threat escalates

F1 fans have called for a boycott of the Russian Grand Prix in 2022 in light of the developing situation in Ukraine. Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into parts of their neighbours' east which has, in turn, heightened tensions between Moscow and the West.

Having previously stationed troops near the border, Putin recently ordered them into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine to perform 'peacekeeping functions'.

Donetsk and Luhansk, two breakaway regions of Ukraine run by Moscow-backed separatists, have also been formally recognised by Russia as independent.

The US has already imposed sanctions on Russia as a result, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to follow suit.

With plenty of talk surrounding prospective responses, debate has also spilled over into the sports world, and F1 fans have expressed concern about the return to Sochi.

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On Reddit, one fan confidently exclaimed: "F1 needs to cancel the Russian race - NOW.

"Sanctions are about to come in and it will be a poor look if F1 goes through the process sitting on the fence."

With others suggesting that F1 are unlikely to take a stand due to controversies that come with other destinations on the calendar, some have called for the sport's most active voices to take action.

ImJayJunior said: "I think as long as we have Lewis [Hamilton] and Seb [Vettel] in F1, the chances of anyone listening is certainly higher than it would be without them, it just depends on the pair of them to speak up because they're the ones who are most likely to be heard.

"I have faith in Lewis saying something real soon."

YourUndoing agreed, claiming that: