2024-03-16 03:55:21
Former Russian Formula 1 pilots are gradually returning to world racing circuits two years after their country’s troops attacked Ukraine.
The return of the Russians to the racing tracks is not easy at all. They can only start in the so-called “neutral status” mode.
“In the International Automobile Federation FIA, other conditions apply to the neutral status, in particular a statement condemning aggression in Ukraine, for which there is a risk of imprisonment in Russia,” said Jan Šťovíček, president of the Czech Auto Club for Aktuálně.cz.
In the motorcycle world, the rules are even stricter. “The rules in the International Motorcycle Federation FIM have not changed, the ban on the start of Russian athletes still applies,” confirmed Šťovíček.
Italian hope
Daniil Kvyat, the holder of three positions on the podium of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Red Bull and Toro Rosso cars, vigorously dealt with the problem. He became an Italian.
After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, he competed only in the USA, where the embargo on Russian athletes does not apply. He completed one race in the lower NASCAR Xfinity Series and also drove in three events in the elite series of that championship. But all without significant success.
He returned to the world of endurance racing under a neutral flag last year, but this season he has already accepted an Italian license. He won it thanks to the fact that he has lived in Italy for many years and will ride in the colors of the famous Italian brand.
Kvyat defends the colors of the Lamborghini team in the elite class of sports prototypes called Hyperauto in the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). The premier start of the SC63 special in Qatar did not go well, however, the car took only 14th position.
In addition, however, the native of Ufa is preparing to return overseas. He will return to the Xfinity Series in early April, where he will drive at the COTA circuit in Texas. He knows Formula 1 well.
Asian road
Another Russian with F1 experience is returning to the “big world” through endurance racing. However, Nikita Mazepin chose the Asian Le Mans Series as his first step. After the year 2023, he also participated in the current season, which took place at the turn of last year and this year as 2023-24.
It was held under the auspices of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the promoter of the Le Mans races. Alongside him, Asian Le Mans Endurance Management (ALMEM) and SRO Motorsports Group were also participating organizations.
Although the races are not directly organized by the FIA, Mazepin could not drive under the Russian flag here either. He was registered as a neutral athlete, and in both seasons the Moscow native finished fourth.
The son of oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, would like to race elsewhere. The Court of Justice of the European Union already canceled a year ago the travel ban to the EU, which was part of the sanctions against the father’s company Uralkali, which was identified as a sponsor of the Russian government.
Because of this, Mazepin lost his place in the Haas team before the 2022 season, as the sanctions made it impossible for money to flow from Russia to the coffers of the American team.
Sergey Sirotkin, who raced for Williams in 2018, is weighing in with a big return so far. From 2021, he completed only the Middle East Sports Car Trophy, which, like the Asian Le Mans Series, ran as the 2023-24 season.
Among others, Vitalij Petrov also alternated with him in the Porsche SMP Racing team. That is, the last of the Russian “four musketeers” in Formula 1. For the 39-year-old pilot, it was also the first start outside his native country since the imposition of sanctions on Russia.
None of the Russians holding on to their home license will compete under the flag of their country for a long time.
“There would have to be a change in Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The leaders of both world federations are continuously monitoring the situation and will surely react operatively to any changes. However, the cancellation of the sanction conditions is definitely not currently on the table either in the FIM or the FIA,” said the head of the Czech auto club Nutmeg.