- Decision of governing body differs from IOC and Fifa stance
- Russian driver Nikita Mazepin competes for Haas team
Formula One’s governing body the FIA has defied the prevailing opinion across sporting bodies in allowing Russian and Belarusian drivers to continue to compete under a neutral flag. The decision is in direct contradiction to the IOC and Fifa opting to ban their participation after the invasion of Ukraine. The FIA has decided drivers will still be allowed to compete under an FIA flag.
The decision was made at an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday, called at short notice to address the Russian invasion and how the sport should react, but rather than an expected ban the FIA’s resolution flies in the face of a clearly prevailing belief that sporting sanctions must be made to be felt.