Following an extraordinary meeting of its World Motor Sport Council, the FIA decided, among other things, that Russian drivers could continue to participate provided they race in a neutral capacity under the FIA flag.
Additionally, while FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says today’s decision is “aligned with recommendations recently made by the International Olympic Committee”, the IOC has in fact recommended that competitors from Russia and Belarus are excluded from participation in international sports.
In his opening address 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 look forward to a speedy and peaceful resolution of the current situation.We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our hearts go out to all those who are suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine.I would like to stress that the FIA, together with our promoters, has acted proactively on this issue last week and communicated accordingly on Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the International Drifting Cup An updated version of the various FIA international calendars will be presented at the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.”
In accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, the members of the Council approved the following decisions to be implemented with immediate effect:
Competitions held on the territory of Russia and Belarus
No international/zonal competitions will take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice
No flags/symbols or anthems of Russia/Belarus may be used in international/zonal competitions, until further notice
Drivers, competitors and officials
No Russian/Belarusian national teams to participate in international/zonal competitions (e.g. FIA Motorsport Games), until further notice
Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials will only participate in international/zonal competitions in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to a specific commitment and respect for the principles of peace and political neutrality of the FIA, until further notice
No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment and car) – should not be displayed or anthems should not be played at international/zonal competitions, until further notice
FIA Elected Officers/Commission Members
Representatives of Russian/Belarusian FIA members temporarily step down from their roles and responsibilities as elected officers/commission members*
AIF grants
No FIA grants will be awarded to Russian/Belarusian FIA members, until further notice*
No existing FIA grants will be paid to Russian/Belarusian FIA members*
* Subject to approval by the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism
FIA International Sporting Calendar
On the proposal of the holder of the F1 commercial rights, cancellation of the F1 Grand Prix of Russia 2022 due to force majeure.
The FIA President added: “I would like to thank the members of the Council for their swift action in deciding on these measures in the interests of sport and peace. We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FAU) and the wider FIA family in the country. The steps taken today recognize 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 discussion with our members as we continue to express our compassion and support in their time of need.We sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution to their intolerable difficulties.
