F1 must 'align with other sports' in Russian conflict reaction
F1 must 'align with other sports' in Russian conflict reaction
Williams team principal and CEO Jost Capito has urged the sporting world to 'align' in the "kind of reaction" it gives to the Russian conflict with Ukraine.
F1, its teams and the FIA is to discuss whether to axe this year's Russian Grand Prix after a number of drivers voiced concerns, with Sebastian Vettel, in particular, stating he would boycott the event should it go ahead.
The meeting comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a "special military operation" on Thursday with troops crossing the border. Ukraine has now described the incursion as a "full-scale invasion".
Asked if he would back drivers Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi were they to decide not to race in Russia even if the September event were to go ahead, Capito said: “That is not a question that we are looking into right now.
"The first thing is, it’s a very bad situation with Russia and Ukraine and I think the FIA and FOM, they are in charge of it, the are on top of it and they will also talk to other organisations and they will take the right decisions.
“When this decision is taken, then we go from there.
“There are other sporting events ahead. When you see the Champions League final in Saint Petersburg, sports should be aligned in what kind of reaction they show.”
UEFA, the European governing body behind the Champions League, has confirmed that like F1, it will hold a meeting on Thursday night with "decisions" to be taken on Friday.
"UEFA shares the international community’s significant concern for the security situation developing in Europe and strongly condemns the ongoing Russian military invasion in Ukraine," read the UEFA statement.
"As the governing body of European football, UEFA is working tirelessly to develop and promote football according to common European values such as peace and respect for human rights, in the spirit of the Olympic Charter. We remain resolute in our solidarity with the football community in Ukraine and stand ready to extend our hand to the Ukrainian people.
"We are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Decisions will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and announced tomorrow."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- 18 minutes ago
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- 1 hour ago
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- 2 hours ago
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- 3 hours ago
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- Today 18:57
EXCLUSIVE: World champion reveals 'logical' winning F1 Hamilton combination
- Today 17:57
Related news
F1 calendar shortened: Is it right to decide against replacing Russian Grand Prix?
F1 decide NOT to replace axed Russian Grand Prix
Schumacher 'hopes and prays' for Ukraine after Russian GP axe
McLaren insist dropped Russian GP was "untenable"
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860