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Formula 1 has confirmed the Russian Grand Prix has been removed from the calendar
George Dagless
23 mins ago Formula 1 has confirmed on Friday that the Russian Grand Prix will not be held this season, because of ongoing events between Russia and Ukraine.
The sport had been due to visit the Sochi circuit once again this year with a race weekend date of 23-25 September but that is now off of the table.
Indeed, in light of this week’s events between Russia and Ukraine, Formula 1 initially said it was monitoring the situation closely before making a firm decision, with the FIA and the F1 meeting with the 10 teams on Thursday night to come to a more definitive outcome.
And, on the back of that meeting at the Barcelona test on Thursday night, the sport has decided that it will remove the Russian Grand Prix from the calendar for this year at least.
A statement from the sport said:
“The FIA Formula 1 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.
“On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”
Formula 1 had intended to run a 23-race calendar this season – the longest in its history – and it remains to be seen which circuit, if any, replaces Sochi.
F1 is also the latest sporting organisation to take an event away from Russia, closely following UEFA’s decision to relocate the Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris.
The FIA Formula 1 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.
On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.
Aston Martin announced today that it will once again supply the Medical and Safety Cars for 12 Grands Prix for the 2022 Formula 1 season, starting with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne from April 8-10.
Like last season, Aston Martin will field a Vantage as the Safety Car. It has been updated this year, though, to mirror the new Aston Martin Racing Green that can be found on the Aston Martin racing team’s AMR22.
The car, as ever, will be driven by the FIA’s appointed driver, Bernd Maylander. He will be lucky, because the car has been expressly designed for this purpose by the engineering team at Aston Martin’s headquarters in Graydon, UK.
Using its experience from GT competition around the world, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Vantage Safety Car has been adapted to perform on the Formula 1 circuits of the world. In addition to its performance upgrades, it also receives bodyside mounted radio antennas, an LED rear number plate, and a bespoke, roof-mounted LED light bar.
Inside, the driver and passenger have access to the FIA’s marshaling system, which shows lights corresponding to any warning flags being shown at any part of the track. It also gets cameras inside, just like the F1 cars to display a live camera feed for the viewing audience.
The DBX, meanwhile, reenters duty as the Medical Car, getting its own unique modifications. These include FIA-approved racing seats with six-point safety harnesses, a marshaling system, and TV screens to give the doctor a live feed of the race as he sits in the pit lane. It must carry fire extinguishers, a defibrillator, and a large medical kit back, as well.
Aston Martin says that its reasons for supplying the FIA with this Medical Car aren’t entirely altruistic. The data gathered from the SUV’s time on track last year directly helped the development of the high-performance DBX 707.
“It is a continuing source of pride for myself and the whole company to see our cars playing a crucial role in Formula 1,” said Tobias Moers, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda. “Vantage and DBX will feature at 12 Grands Prix this year and, as much as I hope they won’t be called upon too often in the races, I think we all know they will be busy again as F1 enters this new era. We’re excited to be part of the show!”
Red Bull RB18 - Aerodynamics Analysis and Initial Thoughts
Long aero analysis of the RB, interesting that McLaren and RBR both choose pullrod front and pushrod rear suspension considering that RBR were the first to re-introduce pullrod rear suspension in 2009
Did they have a choice, or is this just marketing?
That is, given the broad sanctions that are being imposed on Russia, would the FIA even have had a choice? Would they have been obligated by law to not run a GP in Russia until sanctions were lifted?
Did they have a choice, or is this just marketing?
That is, given the broad sanctions that are being imposed on Russia, would the FIA even have had a choice? Would they have been obligated by law to not run a GP in Russia until sanctions were lifted?
I don't know if the current sanctions cover sporting events but read some about the sanctions and they are actually not broad and more focused and detailed mostly related to banking and pipeline projects.
US and Europe are currently holding back on the more severe sanctions from what I've read, cutting Russia from SWIFT would be next steps.
Mazepin’s father is Dmitry Mazepin, deputy chair of Uralkali, a Russian fertilizer producer that is, or likely was, Haas’s biggest sponsor. With that in doubt, Guenther Steiner, Haas’s team principal, says that Nikita Mazepin’s future with the team is up in the air too.
“We removed (the branding) yesterday — we have to sort out all the legal stuff, which I cannot speak about, next week,” Steiner said. “We made the decision yesterday with our team partners that this is what we’re going to do. I need to work on the rest next week.
“Yes, (Mazepin’s future) needs to be resolved. Not everything depends from us here what is happening, there’s governments involved — I have no power over them — and we also need to see how the situation develops in Ukraine.
“He (Mazepin) puts a tough face on it. For sure it bothers him, because it’s his own country, Russia. About guarantees, there are no guarantees anywhere — as I said before we need to see how this whole thing develops.”
Mazepin’s seat is closely tied to the Uralkali sponsorship but it is not a certainty he would be dropped immediately. Should he lose his drive before the next test in Bahrain, Pietro Fittipaldi is likely to test for the team alongside Mick Schumacher.
Steiner went on to say that, with or without Uralkali, the Haas team is on solid footing financially, and fully intends to compete this year, while ESPN says that Michael Andretti, who has his own aspirations for Formula 1 in 2024, could be a Uralkali replacement. The Guardian, meanwhile, points out that Mazepin’s seat is also in question because of possible visa bans on Russians, meaning he may not be able to enter, much less compete in, most countries with Formula 1 races
Few, at any rate, will miss Mazepin if he goes, and Formula 1 races would also probably be safer as a result. Well, his teammate Mick Schumacher might, just by virtue of Mazepin being such easy competition..
That's all nice and all, but there are still things called contracts. No idea what the Haas and Urakali contract details or the F1 and Russia GP contract details, but this could end in some lawsuits that Haas and/or F1 will pay for.
FWIW, there's a old race trick where a driver/team/car will do a fast lap but using a different "start/stop" reference point on the track. Patrick Head and Frank Dernie would instruct Mansell/Piquet to use another part of the track as their start of a flying lap to get a good lap time, then back off massively before coming over the real start/stop the second time. I'd imagine it's still done today.
Dropping the Cross & Dragon takes a bit away from the livery, IMO.
My wife said the C42 looks a bit too 'cartoony'. Guessing due to the Alfa script on the engine cover.
Just noticed that they're keeping the road car motif on it too.
The past couple years had Giulia/Stelvio on the airbox inlet.
The C42 has Tonale under the Alfa script.
The American’s Andretti Global operation has applied to enter F1, and needs to get a green light soon if it is going to have enough time to get things up and running.
Although there is no formal timeline for new entry deadlines in to F1, Andretti is clear he cannot wait much longer for the FIA to make a decision.
Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com about the situation, Andretti said: “We need it fast because the clock’s running for us to be there in 2024. We need to know within a month.”
Andretti says he is already quite clear in some key details about his F1 entry, with him committed to bringing his IndyCar driver Colton Herta to grand prix racing.
Andretti believes Herta’s presence would be one of the keys to making the team’s presence a success for F1 as a whole, at a time when there are two races in America – at COTA and new-for-2022 Miami – and a third is being planned for Las Vegas.
He suggested that the way Max Verstappen has boosted Dutch interest in grand prix racing proves that an American driver could do the same for the potential audience in the USA.
“You look at the growth in ratings in the Netherlands because they’ve got a driver,” he said. “There’s none here. If you get a good driver with a good following like Colton, I think they’ll be in great shape.
“To me it’s a no-brainer. I don’t know what the hold-up is, so hopefully they figure it out. The way we’re going to do it is going to be first class all the way. We’ve got big plans that will really be good for Formula 1.
“My backers are great, they’re in it to be competitive, they’re not just in it to say they’re in Formula 1. They’re sports guys, they’ve turned sports franchises around from where they weren’t competitive to then being competitive, so they know how to do this stuff.
“So it would be a shame if we couldn’t pull it off. It’ll be good for everybody.”
While Michael’s father, 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti, has suggested that Renault was the most likely engine partner for the team, no final call has been taken on this front.
It is understood that Ferrari remains an option if the team does get approval for the 2024 entry.
Michael Andretti said Renault was “one of the options”, but clarified there was “another one” and that no decision had yet been taken.
Regarding the team’s factory, Andretti said that he would prefer to base the operation in the United States in the long term, but understand he may also need a European headquarters.
“Eventually we’d like to build it here,” he said. “The first car would have to be farmed out, sort of like the way Haas does it now. And then eventually build our own car.
“My dream is to do it here, to have a true American car. We’d still have a big presence in the UK, but have the actual building of it here.”
On the possibility of becoming an F1 team boss, Andretti said: “I’m very excited about it.
“I’ve wanted to do it for a long time. I think it’s great for our brand and would put us at another level.
“It would raise our whole game, raise this [IndyCar] game as well. I’m in the business of racing and I always want us to do better.”
I have seen articles on several sites about drivers complaining about the size of the 18in wheels and the effects on visibility. I thought they were just moving to 18in wheels but the tire circumference would be the same so you were just ending up with smaller side walls. The way the drivers seem to be talking about it is they are much bigger. Is the issue the tires or the aero piece over the tire?
I think a little of both, Norris was talking about it last week at the track in interviews where his vision was blocked in 11 and 1 O'clock area. He mentioned that some of his F2 racing friends have mentioned the same thing since F2 has been using 18" wheels since 2020;
A number of major championships and sports events have cut ties with the country amid worldwide condemnation and sanctions from western countries.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem wrote to the Automobile Federation of Ukraine last week to offer his support, leading to a response from FAU president Leonid Kostyuchenko calling for a ban on Russian and Belarusian competitors from FIA events.
Earlier today, the executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that no Russian or Belarusian athletes or officials took part in international competitions.
The FIA has been a recognised federation of the IOC since 2012.
In a short statement issued by an FIA spokesman on Monday evening, it was confirmed that the WMSC will meet tomorrow to discuss matters relating to the conflict.
"An extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council will be convened tomorrow to discuss matters relating to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine,” the statement reads.
“Further updates will be given following the meeting.”
Any action on Russian athletes would directly impact Nikita Mazepin, who races for Haas in F1.
Mazepin’s future with the team is already known to be in doubt after his father’s company, Uralkali, had its branding removed from the Haas car for the final day of testing last week.
The team said it would be holding talks over the matter in the coming days.
Mazepin wrote on Twitter last week that he was “not in control over a lot of what is being said and done”. He took part in the third and final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona as planned.
Action from the FIA would see it follow moves from other major sporting federations. Earlier today, FIFA announced that all Russian clubs and national teams had been suspended from competitions in the wake of the IOC’s recommendation.
Red Bull’s RB18 is one of the 2022 cars that is suffering with a weight problem, Helmut Marko has revealed.
Last week the all-new cars hit the track at the Circuit de Catalunya where Mercedes set the pace, Lewis Hamilton leading George Russell in a 1-2, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was third.
The times in testing count for very little, it is more of an indication of who may have got it very wrong rather than who could be leading the pack.
But while Red Bull were up there, the team’s motorsport advisor Marko says they are suffering with one big problem, the car is overweight.
This year Formula 1 raised the minimum weight to 795 kilograms, a 43kg increase, but teams are said to be struggling to get down to that threshold.
The design of sidepods has been the standout differentiator between Formula 1 cars this season, with each team taking a slightly different route.
Such variation is a big shift compared to what we saw over the last few years, but it's for good reason.
That's because, from an aerodynamic perspective, teams are having to bridge the gap created by the loss of the aerodynamic furniture, like bargeboards, that surrounded the sidepods of the previous generation of cars.
Without being protected by an array of deflector panels, fins and flow conditioners that the last regulations permitted, teams have taken to reshaping their sidepods, and in some cases reorienting the internal radiators, coolers and electronics within them to help accomplish this.
The most fascinating aspect of this is that rather than all of the teams having come to a similar conclusion during their CFD and windtunnel studies, we have quite a delightful smorgasbord of solutions.
One of the most interesting solutions on the grid comes from Williams, which has largely stuck to the pre-regulation change script, opting for a very short, ramped sidepod.
However, there is an interesting twist - a cavity in the upper section of the sidepod which provides airflow, captured in the main inlet, a route directly through to the rear surface of the sidepod.
This unusual design has been made possible by Williams' approach to the placement of the upper side impact spar (SIS), which, like the car's predecessor, sits in the low-slung position but also pretty far rearward when we consider the inlet position (red arrow).
And conversely, where many of its rivals have housed the lower SIS within the floor, Williams has opted for a higher position within the sidepod, which results in the shrink-wrap blister (white arrow, main illustration).
Perhaps more interesting than the cavity itself is that the team has also thought about the possibility of running the car with it closed off, as it did during the first day of testing.
That can be done with an interior panel installed in the top section in order to push the airflow down into the inlet below (right inset).
It's worth noting that the compact layout of the FW44's sidepods is only possible because the team has also opted for more of a centreline cooling approach, not only resulting in a larger airbox to gather up airflow but also a more bulky engine cover.
This will result in more weight being housed slightly higher up, but Williams appears to be happy with the centre of gravity trade-off that the aerodynamic gains facilitate.
Besides, it is not the only one to have traded space this way, with numerous teams using more saddle-like cooler arrangements above the power unit over the last few years.
In Williams' case, this does seem to be a little more extreme though. For whilst most have settled with one cooler being perched above the power unit, Williams has them in a chevron pattern overhanging both sides.
The FIA has taken the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian drivers to compete under a neutral flag, following an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday.
The meeting, announced by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to discuss “the ongoing crisis in Ukraine”, concluded with the decision that Russian and Belarusian drivers would be allowed to compete in top-level motorsport, so long as they do so under a neutral flag.
The FIA President said: “As you know, the FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
“We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine. I would like to stress that the FIA, together with our promoters, proactively acted on this matter last week and communicated accordingly on the Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the International Drifting Cup. An updated version of the different FIA International Calendars will be presented to the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.”
The full statement read:
"Council members approved the following, in line with the International Olympic Committee recommendations, with immediate effect:
No international/zone competitions to take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice
No flag/symbol or anthem of Russia/Belarus to be used in international/zone competitions, until further notice
No Russian/Belarusian national teams to participate in international/zone competitions (e.g. FIA Motorsport Games), until further notice
Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice
No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment and car)- should be displayed or anthems should be played at international/zone competitions, until further notice
Representatives from Russian/Belarusian FIA Members to step aside temporarily from their roles and responsibilities of elected officers/commissions’ members*
No FIA grant to be awarded to the Russian/Belarusian FIA Members, until further notice*
No existing FIA grant funding will be paid to the Russian/Belarusian FIA Members*
Upon proposal of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, cancellation of the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix for reason of Force Majeure.
*Subject to the approval of the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism"
The FIA President added: “I want to thank the Council members for their prompt action in deciding these measures in the interests of sport and peace. We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU) and the wider FIA family in the country. The measures taken today recognise the authority of the FAU in Ukraine and are also aligned with the recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee. We are in active discussions with our members as we continue to extend our compassion and support in their time of need. We sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution to their intolerable hardship.”
Nikita Mazepin: Russian Formula 1 driver barred from British Grand Prix after Motorsport UK decision
No Russian/Belarusian licenced teams are approved to enter motorsport competitions in the UK; no Russian/Belarusian licenced competitors and officials are approved to participate in UK motorsport events; no Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags to be displayed
Russian Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin will be barred from competing at the British Grand Prix, after Motorsport UK announced their response to the situation in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Haas driver Mazepin looked likely to be allowed to compete in F1 this season after the FIA confirmed Russian and Belarusian drivers could race under a neutral flag.
But chair of Motorsport UK, David Richards CBE, along with the board of the organisation confirmed in a statement on Wednesday Mazepin would not be able to race at Silverstone on July 3 unless the situation changes.
"The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the acts of war by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support towards all those affected by the ongoing conflict." Richards said.
"We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded. This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d'Ukraine (FAU).FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem said in a statement on Tuesday: "The FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
"We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine."
In the statement, the FIA added: "Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the 'FIA flag', subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA's principles of peace and political neutrality."
In response, and in full accordance with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendations, Motorsport UK confirmed, whilst "respecting the decisions of the FIA", that no Russian/Belarusian licenced teams are approved to enter motorsport competitions in the UK, no Russian/Belarusian licenced competitors and officials are approved to participate in UK motorsport events, and no Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (on uniform, equipment and car) to be displayed at Motorsport UK permitted events
The Motorsport UK decision was made in full consultation with the UK Government and national sports governing bodies to ensure there is a unilateral response to the crisis.
Richards added: "It is our duty to use whatever influence and leverage we might have to bring this wholly unjustified invasion of Ukraine to a halt. We would encourage the motorsport community and our colleagues around the world to fully embrace the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and do whatever we can to end this war."
"Motorsport UK stands united with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the FAU, the Ukrainian motorsport community and the Ukrainian people and calls for the violence to end with a peaceful resolution."
World champion Max Verstappen has signed a bumper five-year contract extension with Red Bull, in a deal that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2028.
The 24-year-old, who joined the team in 2016, beat Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the 2021 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to clinch his maiden world championship.
His previous deal ran until the end of next season, but both sides were keen to extend what has become a very success partnership.
Verstappen said: “I really enjoy being part of Red Bull Racing, so choosing to stay to the 2028 season was an easy decision.
“I love this team and last year was simply incredible. Our goal since we came together in 2016 was to win the championship and we have done that, so now it’s about keeping the number one on the car long-term."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner added: “To have Max signed with Red Bull through to the end of ‘28 is a real statement of intent. Our immediate focus is on retaining Max’s world championship title, but this deal also shows he is part of the team’s long-term planning.
“With the Red Bull Powertrains division working towards the new engine regulations for 2026 we wanted to make sure we had the best driver on the grid secured for that car.”
02-24-2022, 05:59 PM
Putin! 
Sochi
St Petersburg plans