Formula One’s governing body FIA is expected to convene an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sports Council (WMSC) on Tuesday after several sports federations banned Russian athletes from competing internationally. economy after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which recognized the FIA in 2012, on Monday recommended a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials.
FIFA and UEFA also Russia’s national teams and clubs are suspended from international football until further notice.
An FIA spokesman said: “An extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sports Council will be convened tomorrow to discuss issues related to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
“Further updates will be provided after the meeting.”
Results of Tuesday’s meeting can also decide the fortunes of Nikita Mazepinthe only Russian on the Formula One grid.
The 22-year-old has faced an uncertain future, as Haas boss Guenther Steiner revealed his place on the team and the team’s title sponsorship deal with its potash producer. Russia Uralkali, owned by Mazepin’s father, will be settled this week.
Mazepin, who drove alongside Mick Schumacher and made his debut last year, has so far raced under the neutral flag due to doping sanctions imposed on Russia but competes on a Russian license.
It could also affect Ferrari test driver and Formula Two runner-up Robert Shwartzman, Formula Three driver Alexander Smolyar and Boris Rotenberg’s SMP Racing venture, which has a significant presence in the racing categories. sport.
Ferrari is funded by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Labs, which was founded in Moscow, but now describes itself as a global company. McLaren ended their sponsorship with Belarusian company Miory Steel late last year.
Last week, Formula One announced that it would not hold races in Russia this season, adding it was “impossible” to do so under “current circumstances”.
American-owned Haas also ran their car in an all-white car on the final day of testing in Barcelona last week after scrapping all Uralkali branding.
Ukraine’s motorsport federation on Sunday called for a ban on all Russian and Belarusian driving license holders from their competitions as part of a series of proposals presented to the FIA President. Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Russia has called its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” that it says is aimed not at occupying territory but aimed at destroying its southern neighbor’s military capabilities and capturing what it sees as potential threats. dangerous nationalist.
