Russian GP confident WADA ban won't impact F1

The Russian Grand Prix's organisers are confident that the race will still go ahead next year, despite Russia's ban from global sport for doping violations.

The World Anti-Doping Agency this week banned Russian athletes from taking part in any global sporting events for the next four years, while Russia is forbidden from hosting such events.

Russian athletes that prove they are clean competitors are permitted to compete under a neutral flag – something that could impact Daniil Kvyat in 2020 and beyond.

The FIA is a signatory to WADA's anti-doping code, and uncertainty remains over whether the ban will apply to competitions run by motorsport's governing body.

Both the FIA and F1 say they will continue to monitor the situation, but Rosgonki, the company that organises the Sochi race, remains steadfast that the event will remain on the calendar.

A statement from the organisers read: "The contract for holding the Russian round of the Formula 1 World Championship was signed in 2010, long before the events investigated by Wada, and runs until 2025.

"We are confident that the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix will be held in 2020 and in the following years and invite everyone to Sochi. The ticket sales are in full swing."

The Russian GP has been held at the Sochi Autodrom each year since 2014, in the Olympic park that was the scene of many of the state-sponsored doping violations that have been uncovered.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lance Stroll hints Aston Martin issues after summer break: 'It will be tougher'

• 1 hour ago

George Russell and the Ferrari F1 move that could rescue his career

• 2 hours ago

Mercedes F1 chief expects season to get even harder in face of Ferrari threat

• 3 hours ago

F1 News Today: Adrian Newey deadline given as Christian Horner appointment credited to rival

• 3 hours ago

Helmut Marko claims Max Verstappen and Red Bull not 'going smoothly' as F1 champion's future unclear

• Today 10:55

What Ferrari F1 staff really think about Lewis Hamilton revealed

• Today 09:44