Following an extraordinary meeting of its World Motor Sport Council, the FIA has ruled, amongst other things, that Russian drivers may continue to participate providing they race in a neutral capacity under the FIA's flag.

Furthermore, while FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem says that today's decision is "aligned with the recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee", the IOC has actually recommended that competitors from Russia and Belarus be excluded from participation in international sports.

In his opening remarks to the meeting, FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, 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."

In accordance with the International Olympic Committee recommendations, Council members approved the following decisions to be implemented with immediate effect:

Competitions organized on the territory of Russia and Belarus

No international/zone competition 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

Drivers, competitors and officials

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

FIA Elected officers/Commissions' members

Representatives from Russian/Belarusian FIA Members to step aside temporarily from their roles and responsibilities of elected officers/commissions' members *

FIA grants

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 *

* Subject to the approval of the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism

FIA International Sporting Calendar

Upon proposal of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, cancellation of the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix for reason of Force Majeure.

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."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Editor, 04/03/2022 9:03

"@ equator180

I must take issue with your suggestion that all of us in the UK – the “sheeple” - were responsible for Blair’s actions and fully supported him.

Ignoring the fact that I never voted for Blair, indeed fully agreed with the (banned) Conservative poster proclaiming “better the devil you know”, in early 2003, when WMD dominated the media and Blair was so obviously keen to play lickspittle to Bush, the UK witnessed its biggest ever protest when almost a million citizens took to the streets urging Blair and his government not to go to war – their cry went unheeded.

Blair with the aid of cronies such as Alastair Campbell were determined to have their moment and anyone of any standing who spoke out against the war was shouted down – sound familiar – or, in the case of Dr David Kelly murdered by the authorities.

It is wholly wrong to lump everyone together and claim that they all supported these actions… they didn’t.

Yet as grave as the situation in Ukraine is – and it is indeed grave – my other fear is the increasing power of the likes of Klaus Schwab and his World Economic Forum, which appears to have a growing number of influential disciples around the globe. So vocal during the pandemic but maintaining a worrying silence in recent days.

Finally, am I alone in finding it ironic that as a nation fights – possibly to the death – to defend its tradition, its culture, its borders, those rushing to include the #IStandWithUkraine hashtag in their tweets and proudly sport the Ukraine flag in the profiles are mostly the very same people who have spent the last couple of decades seeking to dismantle such concepts in their own homelands."

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2. Posted by kenji, 04/03/2022 1:33

"There is a striking resemblance to the facts...Saddam invaded his neighbour Kuwait with 100.000 troops and look where that got him? Putin should face the same fate for sanctioning the cold blooded murder of innocent women and children in his latest fit of madness. No?"

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3. Posted by equator180, 04/03/2022 0:36

"How many on here remember 2006? Remember the big lie, WMD's, the US and bumb buddy UK invaded Iraq, first week, 1 million people killed, wounded or displaced, the media covered it like a sporting event, politicians from ever party and country fighting to get their face on TV to cheer on the righteous killing, looting and outright destruction of a country and people, and it was all a LIE! there were no WMD's and your famous leader Tony Blair knew it and all you sheeple supported him, not one sanction, Tony got the title and the media games go on. Call it for democracy and every American will actually kill to get in line to fight for the cause no matter the truth. I'm not for war in any shape or form, I don't like all the media hype about the good guys (who are the good guys..like Blair and Bush?) the loss of human life is inexcusable. I also am not for banning the institution of sport because of a government. As there seems to be division in Church and State, maybe the same should apply to sport especially on the individual level. The contempt being shown to Russian athletes who have nothing to do with the politics of their country is not justified, just like no one is picking on you for dear Tony's hand in the killing of millions/"

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4. Posted by kenji, 03/03/2022 10:41

"@ Max Watching images of the mutilated charred remains of innocent people spread out in front of a building that's just been destroyed by Russian missiles is enough to turn ones stomach. Collectively the Russian people stand condemned for it is they who elected the architect of this madness and allowed this murderous and evil tragedy to happen. I am personally revolted and disgusted. "

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5. Posted by Max Noble, 03/03/2022 8:53

"Now even the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has acted! Over to you Blue Leader…"

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6. Posted by CanadianF1Fan, 02/03/2022 20:13

"Typical of the FIA - not unexpected - but disappointing none the less. Once again the FIA is perched squarely on the fence. The FIA leadership lacks the strength of character needed to demonstrate true leadership. The "aligned with the IOC" reference highlights the FIA's lack of courage and unwillingness to make a difficult decision on their own. "

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7. Posted by Max Noble, 02/03/2022 13:02

"@Kenji - strong sentiments well stated. It is a horrid state of affairs, and as you note, serious statements from those in positions of media influence would be a genuine aid… sad times…"

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8. Posted by kenji, 02/03/2022 10:53

"@ Max...I have always protested that sport and politics should never get mixed up and I still believe this.
The current crisis is not strictly political as it's basically the actions of an aging narcissistic megalomaniac who wants to be elevated to the rank of a modern Czar. Delusional in the extreme. What I get upset about is that I have tonight seen images of a 60km long Russian armoured convoy...just sitting and waiting to descend upon the capital. Where are the Ukranian airforce ? What a prize just waiting to be lifted. What I would like to also see is a few longer range missiles sent by the Ukranians into Russia so that they can feel the pain as well. Diplomacy will not solve this issue as Russia will never accept a cessation without the main prize firmly in their grip. What we need to see is Kyvyat and Mazepin showing support for those being slaughtered in the name of their home country by publically burning their passports in a show of humanity and empathy. Will it happen....no, but it should. I'd even comtemplate a 'knee' for that little show."

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9. Posted by Wokingchap, 02/03/2022 9:58

"I hope this doesn't mean the russian is still driving but i fear it does."

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10. Posted by Max Noble, 02/03/2022 8:13

"@Kenji - ironic humour at it’s best, good word-smithing…
@R1Racing71 - I fully expect the FIA, and Liberty Media backflips to be named as a green energy source of wind power any day… you read it here first…"

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11. Posted by @R1Racing71, 02/03/2022 8:10

"There will be massive backlash over this on am international level and that’s before the twitteratti half-wits get involved. Don’t be surprised if they reverse the decision."

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12. Posted by kenji, 02/03/2022 6:15

"I'm rather hoping to see the FIA take the initiative and institute a new pre race ceremony called , A Knee for Ukraine, combined with a ritualistic burning of the 'Hammer & Sickle' as an end event. Just as well Sochi was axed together with the flyover as all the aircraft would be on active service firing missiles into private apartment blocks and kindergartens in Kiev. Dear oh dear, what utter brutality.

"

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13. Posted by itc, 02/03/2022 1:27

"Hit them in the only place it hurts: their pockets.
Don't watch the race on TV ( assuming you can afford to ), just follow the race on websites such as Pitpass"

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14. Posted by Max Noble, 02/03/2022 0:04

"Given the IOC unbelievably made a stand this is particularly poor form. Fence sitting of the highest nature sending a “Keep calm (take the money), and carry on” message.

Moral Compass? Broken.
Ethical Stand? Nope, fence sitting.
Beacon of leadership in tough times? Nope, takes the money every time.
If the FIA, and Liberty Media were both based in Kyiv right now, with Russian rockets singing sweetly all around them, do you think they would be trying their hardest to let Russian athletes know the shelling was just fine, please carry on?"

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15. Posted by Superbird70, 01/03/2022 22:53

"@Great_white_shark-If the FIA truly wanted to grow a pair this war is pretty low hanging fruit. It would be a precedent to build upon. They tried with South Africa years ago, but that was more about funding than altruism and fighting apartheid. At some point you need to draw a line in the sand."

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FIA's World Motor Sport Council reacts following Ukraine invasion

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