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Russian Grand Prix in serious doubt after Ukraine invasion with F1 ‘closely watching’ conflict

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THE RUSSIAN Grand Prix is in serious doubt after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine after a surprise statement on TV.

The Russian Grand Prix could be taken off the F1 calendarCredit: AP:Associated Press
Sochi has held the Russia GP since 2014Credit: AFP or licensors
Lewis Hamilton has the most wins on the circuit with fiveCredit: AFP – Getty

Formula One are now monitoring the situation after Ukraine that “Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine”.

An F1 spokesperson said: “Formula 1 is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September.

“We will continue to monitor the situation very closely.”

Speaking the day before the invasion, Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin said he expected the race in Sochi to go ahead.

Speaking on Wednesday, he said: “From the understanding that we’ve had with Formula 1 the race is going ahead. And you will surely see me there.

“I have always been a big supporter of sport without politics.”

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The race is scheduled to go ahead on 25th September at the Sochi Autodrom on Sunday, September 25.

Events over the last few days have also sparked talk of the Champions League final being moved from St Petersburg, with Wembley mooted as a possible venue.

It has been impossible to separate sport from world events with Manchester City and Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko threatening Putin.

In a deleted Instagram post Zinchenko said to Putin: “I hope you die the most painful suffering death, creature.”

F1 World champion Max Verstappen spoke on the situation, saying: “When a country is at war it is not right to race there.”

And four-time world champion Sebastien Vettel echoed his colleague’s sentiment.

He said: “In my personal opinion, obviously I woke up again after this morning’s news, shocked.

“I think it’s horrible to see what is happening. Obviously if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia.

“For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in that country. I’m sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership.

“I’m sure it’s something we will talk about, but as I said as GPDA, we haven’t come together yet.”

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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