F1 terminates Russian Grand Prix contract after 2022 cancellation

Last week, F1 confirmed the Russian GP in September at the Sochi Autodrom would not be going ahead amid Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine.

On Thursday morning, F1 released a statement confirming that the Russian GP won’t be on the calendar moving forward.

F1 was set to move to a new venue at Igora Drive (near St. Petersburg) in 2023.

The Sochi Autodrom has hosted the Russian GP since 2014, remaining a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar.

Sochi’s track layout was heavily criticised hence the move to Igora Drive from next year.

Russia’s removal from future calendars potentially paves the way open to a new race, with the United States eyeing a third race, potentially in Las Vegas alongside Miami and Austin.

F1’s statement read: “Formula 1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future.”

Besides Russia losing its spot on the F1 calendar, Vladimir Putin’s decision to go to war with Ukraine has wider consequences on the motorsport world.

On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) called for athletes from Russia and Belarus to be prevented from taking part in international events.

This led to the FIA’s decision to force Russian and Belarusian drivers to race under a neutral flag.

Shortly after, Motorsport UK - Britain’s governing body - took things one step further by announcing that Russian and Belarusian licence holders would not be able to race in the UK, meaning Nikita Mazepin can't race in the British Grand Prix later this year.