Picture Credit: Formula 1
According to Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali sports has no plans to return to Russia in nearby future and F1 management will not negotiate with the country at any cost citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Earlier, F1 cancelled the Russian Grand Prix which was supposed to be held in Sochi this year before moving to Igora Drive in St. Petersburg in 2023.
Recently Domenicali claimed that he always it pulling off challenging tasks and believes in 'never say never' attitude but this time he can assure everyone that F1 management will hold no talks with the Russian representative in future. "I have been a firm believer of carrying a positive attitude and taking up challenging tasks but this time we are confident and want to confirm everyone that we are not going to discuss anything with the Russian government over conducting races in Russia in future," he said.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Russian GP promoter ANO Rosgonki has claimed that expects F1 to refund payments made following the cancellation of this year's race.
"This debt exists and it is confirmed and out position on its is unchanged. We expect a refund regardless of the current position of Formula One Management in relation to holding races in the Russian Federation," he told Russian news agency Tass.
He further asserted that the current situation in sports is completely politicized and it is necessary to take Domenicali's words into consideration. "What he said has pronounced political connotation that has nothing to do with the real spirit of sports. The future of our relation today is really unclear. We will take Domenicali's position into account in our further work," he added. Notably, t his will be the first year since 2014 that a race will not be organised at the Sochi Autodrom.