F1 cancels Russian GP following Ukraine invasion

Formula 1 has cancelled this season’s Russian GP.

The Sochi race was due to be held on September 25 but, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the sport has released a statement saying it is “impossible to hold the Russian GP in the current circumstances” .

Following the decision on Friday, the UK culture secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The withdrawal of the Russian Grand Prix is yet another clear message to President Putin that the international sporting world will not stand by and allow him to use these events to legitimise his illegal and deadly invasion of Ukraine.

“I welcome the action taken by the FIA and its drivers. We are working at pace with governing bodies linked to international sporting events due to be hosted in Russia this year and are urging them to follow suit.”

The cancellation follows passionate pleas from drivers, with world champions Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso all insisting that F1 should not race there