Nikita Mazepin, Alex Smolyar blocked from British Grand Prix
Motorsport UK will block Russian athletes such as Nikita Mazepin and Alex Smolyar from competing in the British Grand Prix.
Russian driver Nikita Mazepin at the F1 pre-season shakedown in Barcelona. (Haas F1 Team)
The FIA World Motor Sport Council will Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In response, Motorsport UK will not allow athletes with a Russian or Belarusian racing licence to participate in a Motorsport UK sanctioned event.
“The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the acts of war by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support towards all those affected by the ongoing conflict,” read a statement from Motorsport UK.
"We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded," said David Richards CBE, Chair of Motorsport Uk.
"This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU)."
The move will block Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin and FIA Formula 3 driver Alex Smolyar from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Mazepin's future with the Haas F1 team remains in the air with the team's main sponsor Uralkali removed from their car during the F1 shakedown in Barcelona.
Uralkali is owned by Mazepin's father Dmitry Mazepin, one of many oligarchs called to an emergency meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Smolyar is part of the SMP Motorsport program, with SMP funding his drive for team MP Motorsport.
SMP Motorsport is run by Boris Rotenberg, under direct sanctions as co-owner of SMP Bank, and reportedly a close personal friend of Putin.
"It is our duty to use whatever influence and leverage we might have to bring this wholly unjustified invasion of Ukraine to a halt," said Richards.
"We would encourage the motorsport community and our colleagues around the world to fully embrace the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and do whatever we can to end this war."
"Motorsport UK stands united with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the FAU, the Ukrainian motorsport community and the Ukrainian people and calls for the violence to end with a peaceful resolution."
