“It was absolutely the right decision,” Bernie Ecclestone agrees with FIA’s stance on allowing Russians to race under neutral flag

“It was absolutely the right decision,” Bernie Ecclestone agrees with FIA’s stance on allowing Russians to race under neutral flag

On Monday following the International Olympic Committee ban on Russian and Belorussian athletes to participate in international events. The sanctions were imposed since Russia conducted a military invasion of Ukraine and have engaged in Military conflict. Following IOC’s decision FIA took an action of their own.

The FIA has taken a decision to initiate a ban on all motorsport events in Russia and Belarus. The ban also bans nationals and teams from the two countries from participating in international events. However Russian/Belarusian drivers and teams can participate in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to FIA’s approval.

Former Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has backed FIA and F1’s decision to allow Russian drivers to race under new conditions. The 91-year-old Brit has stated “It was absolutely the right decision by the FIA,” as he believes athletes and drivers have little to do with Military conflict.

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Bernie Ecclestone: “They just happen to be Russian”

Sochi Autodrom in Russia

On February 24th, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the military invasion of Ukraine. While two nations have since been involved in the conflict, the Rest of the world and International committees have imposed hefty sanctions on Russia in order to curb warfare. The FIA have since shown solidarity to Ukraine’s Motorsport Federation’s plea and enacted its ban on Monday.

Speaking to PA, Bernie Ecclestone came in support of FIA and Formula one after their recent decision stating “There are so many things being agreed by the world about this conflict between Russia and Ukraine. But I don’t think anybody has really thought it through or got their heads around it.”

He further added “If there is a Russian driver in F1, what does it have to do with Russia fighting a war? There is no relationship there. The Russian athletes have nothing to do with this conflict. They are not part of it, and they have never been part of it. They just happen to be Russian.” This was in light of Nikita Mazepin who could be dropped by the Haas F1 team.

Motorsports UK has however taken swift actions to ban Russian or Belarusian licenced teams, competitors or officials to participate in sanctioned events in the UK. This means irrespective Mazepin will not be allowed to race in the 2022 British GP in Silverstone. Formula One has also decided to call off the 2022 Russian Grand Prix.

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