Formula One cancels Russian Grand Prix over invasion of Ukraine

Formula One will not race in Russia this season, saying it was «impossible» to do so after the country launched an invasion on neighbouring Ukraine.

The race was scheduled for September 25 at Sochi's Olympic park.

«We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation,» F1 said in a statement.

«On Thursday evening Formula One, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is… that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.»

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel told a news conference he would not take part in the Russian Grand Prix if it went ahead.

The men's final is moved from St Petersburg to the Stade de France in Paris, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian and Ukrainian teams will have to play at neutral venues until further notice.

World champion Max Verstappen also said racing in a country at war was «not correct».

US-owned Haas ran their car in Barcelona testing on Friday in an all-white livery, having taken off all branding representing title sponsor and Russian potash producer Uralkali.

Team principal Guenther Steiner also acknowledged that the outfit's Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin, whose father owns Uralkali, faces an uncertain future.

Earlier, European football governing body UEFA said it had moved the Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris.

The cancellation of the Russian race brings Formula One's calendar back down to 22 races from a planned record 23-round schedule.

But the sport, which pulled off 17 races in the pandemic-hit 2020 season and held 22 races last year, has options it can pick to fill the spot vacated by Russia, after a number of