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‘Not right to race’ – Max Verstappen leads calls for F1 to boycott Russian Grand Prix after Ukraine invasion

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MAX VERSTAPPEN led the calls for an F1 boycott of the Russian Grand Prix.

The world champ says September’s race cannot take place after the invasion of Ukraine.

Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen both called for the Russian Grand Prix to be axedCredit: Getty
The Russian GP is due to take place on September 25 this yearCredit: Getty

He insisted: “When a country is at war, it is not right to race there.”

Four-time world champ Sebastian Vettel has vowed he will not race in Sochi.

The German said: “It’s horrible to see what is happening. We have a race scheduled in Russia — I will not go. It’s wrong to race in that country.

“I’m sorry for innocent people who are getting killed for stupid reasons under a mad leadership.”

Verstappen also slammed Formula One for throwing Michael Masi “under the bus” after he was sacked over last season’s controversial title decider.

Race chief Masi’s handling of the late safety car in Abu Dhabi allowed Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton on the final lap and claim his first-ever world crown.

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Mercedes ace Hamilton urged F1 to remove “biased” stewards — becoming “disillusioned” with the sport over the incident.

But speaking about Masi’s axe, Verstappen, 24, said: “I feel really sorry for Michael as he was a very capable and good race director.

“It’s very unfair what happened because he’s been thrown under the bus.

“Everyone always tries to do the best job but everyone can always use help.”

Verstappen sympathised with Australian Masi over his high-pressure role — accusing teams of making his job almost impossible.

Masi faced a barrage of radio messages from Red Bull and Merc in Abu Dhabi, which ultimately led to his season-defining decision.

Verstappen said: “Can you imagine refereeing in whatever sport with the equivalent of the coach screaming in his ear all the time, ‘It’s a yellow card, red card, no decision, no foul.’

“It’s impossible to make a decision. That team members could talk to him while making decisions is very wrong.

“It needed to be Michael making the decisions — but he had people screaming in his ear.

“So the people right now who did sack him allowed it in the first place, it’s unacceptable. I just find it really incredible.”

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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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