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.

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