FIA allows Russian and Belarusian drivers to race on under neutral flag

Formula One’s governing body the FIA has defied the prevailing opinion across sporting bodies in allowing Russian and Belarusian drivers to continue to compete under a neutral flag. The decision is in direct contradiction to the IOC and Fifa opting to ban their participation after the invasion of Ukraine. The FIA has decided drivers will still be allowed to compete under an FIA flag.

The decision was made at an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday, called at short notice to address the Russian invasion and how the sport should react, but rather than an expected ban the FIA’s resolution flies in the face of a clearly prevailing belief that sporting sanctions must be made to be felt.

A statement from the newly appointed FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, condemned the Russian invasion and his sadness at events in Ukraine but stopped short of taking genuinely punitive action. He added: “We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU) and the wider FIA family in the country. The measures taken today recognise the authority of the FAU in Ukraine and are also aligned with the recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee.”

Russian and Belarusian flags, symbols or colours will not be allowed to be displayed or anthems played at events. Nor will Russia or Belarus be allowed to hold FIA events.

F1 has one Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, who competes for Haas and whose father’s Russian chemical company Uralkali, is the title sponsor of the team. Mazepin will now be allowed to race this season alongside Michael Schumacher’s son Mick. Haas have yet to comment.

Last week F1 acted with unusual alacrity to cancel the