Motorsports
Drivers agree to cancel Sochi GP, Russians insist
A majority of Formula One drivers approve of the sport’s decision to cancel this year’s Russian Grand Prix following the country’s military invasion of neighboring Ukraine – but organizers of the Sochi race insist it can be held normally at the end of September .
A day after war broke out in Ukraine, Formula One announced this morning its decision to scrap the Russian GP, which was scheduled for September 23-25, from this year’s programme. This was preceded by the statement by Sebastian Vettel on Thursday (February 24th) that he would not be playing in Sochi this year, and by champion Max Ferstappen that ““When a country is at war, it is not right to go there.”
The F1 decision was welcomed by the sporting community and the drivers present at today’s press conference at Barcelona winter testing fully agreed with the F1 decision, saying in unison: “hope and pray for Ukraine.”
Although F1 announced that it had terminated its contract with the Russian GP organizers and the latter confirmed this, the organizer of the Sochi race – the company “Rosgonki” – advised spectators who have already bought tickets to still claim their money back – there “It is still possible that the game will take place as it was already planned.. In fact, GP tickets are still available online.
We remind you that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally supports the struggle in Sochi and has been on the podium for the award several times in the past. Already, with the city’s route across the Black Sea, Turkey seems to be the favorite to fill the race.
However, the drivers have no doubts about the F1 decision, which they have wholeheartedly supported. “We live in a crazy world. “Innocent people are losing their lives, people are losing their homes and families and they have no safe place to stay. This is all wrong.”Alfa Romeo’s Valteri Botas said after Vettel’s comments yesterday.
The Finn continued: “We can only hope that everything will be resolved with the best possible outcome. At the moment I think it’s her right decision F1 do not go to Russia. “It’s so difficult to predict how things will develop over the coming months so I’m sure all drivers will agree with this decision.”
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainte stressed: “Personally, I would find it very difficult to get on a plane and land in a country at war. I’m glad everything has been canceled for now. “Now we can focus on the season and pray and hope it all resolves soon.”
And Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll continued: “These are very scary moments. We have to pray and hope things are going well but it’s very hard to see that. F1 has undoubtedly made the right decision. We can’t go to Russia now.” And Mick Schumacher von Haas concluded: “The war has started and it affects us all. I am personally very sad to see this. “We all have to hope and pray for Ukraine.”
Sophia Jhon is a sports journalist and author. He has worked as a news editor for Sportish and is now a sport columnist for the same publication. Alberta’s professional interests lie largely in sports news, with an emphasis on English football. He has also written articles on other sporting topics.