Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Formula 1 to take action against Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.
The situation in eastern Ukraine has shocked much of the world, and Formula 1 has not escaped its fallout.
As pre-empted by Speedcafe.com, uncertainty has quickly built up around the ongoing feasibility of Haas’ lucrative naming rights sponsorship from Russian firm Uralkali.
Haas has already confirmed it will strip Uralkali branding from its VF-22 for day three of Formula 1’s pre-season test at Barcelona, instead running in plain white.
Images circulating online indicate the team has also taken similar action towards the appearance of its trucks.
Haas did however say that its Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, the son of Uralkali part-owner Dmitry Mazepin, will continue to take part in testing.
The status of the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix has also been called into question, including by Prime Minister Morrison.
“All international sporting events in Russia should have their authorisations withdrawn from all international sporting bodies – this includes the F1 Grand Prix in Sochi,” he wrote on social media, having congratulated Australian freestyle aerial skier Danielle Scott for pulling out of a competition in Russia.
Four-time F1 world drivers’ champion and current Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has declared he will boycott the 2022 event at Sochi if it is not cancelled.
The Russian Grand Prix is due to form Round 17 of the 23-event 2022 calendar on September 25.
It’s the last F1 grand prix slated to take place at Sochi Autodrom in the nation’s southwest before a planned switch to Igora Drive near Saint Petersburg from 2023 onwards.
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