Formula one has said “It is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances. The apex body released a statement via its Instagram handle which read

“The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together.” It further added “We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation”

Not just this early 4 time World Champion and Current Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel also withdrew his name from the event citing the current crisis situation.

Not just Formula 1, other major events have also been canceled or shifted to other venues. Recently UEFA also declared that the UEFA Champions League final has been shifted to Paris. It was initially scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, Russia.

What;s next?

FIA has to yet confirm the event as canceled, they are still monitoring the situation. The event is most likely to be shifted to some other country. The FIA and Formula 1 released the statement after deliberation with all the stakeholders and teams involved.

As of now the fans and associates will have to wait and see what the governing bodies decide. A new circuit is yet to be decided but as of now, no news has been shared regarding the shifting of the event.

Stay tuned for further developments.

The news was broken to the global world by the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Thursday.

Sulayem said Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich will share the duties once held by Masi, who’ll be offered a new position with FIA. The change is part of a restructuring that includes prohibiting radio communication between the teams and the race director.

Max Verstappen won the championship last season in what was a thrilling and controversial season finale.

Verstappen racing for Redbull Racing was in a locked battle with Mercedes Lewis Hamilton. Masi said that the lapped cars won’t unlap themselves after a Nicholas Latiffi crash due to which Verstappen had created a handsome gap between him and race leader Hamilton.

But after complaints from Redbull Racing over the radio Masi changed his mind and asked the lapped cars to overtake. It eventually reduced the gap between Verstappen and Hamilton.

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Since Verstappen was on fresh tires. He had an undue advantage over the rusty Mercedes car. Had the lapped cars not overtaken Hamilton would have won the championship a record 8th time.