Picture Credit: Formula 1
Post-Thursday meeting, F1 has decided to cancel Formula 1's Russian Grand Prix on Friday in the wake of Russia's invasion into Ukraine. Taking to Twitter, F1 notified about the new development by stating that the race, scheduled for Sochi on 25 September, is "impossible to hold in the current circumstances" following Vladimir Putin's invasion into the country that began on Thursday.
A statement issued by the F1 read, "The FIA Formula One World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together. We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation."
However, F1 did not say if they would replace the race on their 2022 schedule, which before the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix, stood at record 23 races. The Russian Grand Prix was scheduled to take place two weeks after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and a week before the Singapore Grand Prix. Notably, a military attack by Russia on Ukraine began on Thursday after a long period of escalating tensions. However, the Russian Grand Prix is 7-months away, but still, considering the deadlock between both countries, it has been estimated that the tussle is far from over.