Vettel to boycott Russian GP, 'horrified and shocked' by Ukraine conflict

Sebastian Vettel has declared himself 'horrified and shocked' by what is happening in Ukraine and has vowed to boycott the Russia GP if the race is given the green light.

The Aston Martin driver was one of the loudest voices of the WeRaceAsOne campaign last year as F1 raised awareness of a number of societal issues.

After Russian troops moved into Ukraine on Thursday in what President Vladimir Putin described as a "special military operation", F1 revealed it was "very closely" monitoring the situation.

Asked as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association [GPDA] his opinion on whether the Sochi race should take place, Vettel spoke with disarming honesty.

"As the GPDA we haven't spoken on this subject so I can't speak on behalf of the GPDA but my personal opinion is that I woke up to this morning news [and was] shocked," explained Vettel.

"I don't know. I think it is horrible to see what is happening and, obviously, if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia.

"For myself, my own opinion is that I should not go. I will not go.

"I think it is wrong to race in the country. I am sorry for the innocent people that are losing their lives, that are getting killed for stupid reasons and a very strange and mad leadership.

"I am sure that is something that we will talk about but as I said, on behalf of the GPDA, we haven't come together yet but personally, I'm shocked and sad to see what is going on.

"We will see going forward but I think my decision is already made."

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