Ex-F1 Boss Ridicules Claims of Banning Russian Drivers From the Sport
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SPA, BELGIUM – AUGUST 22: F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone looks on in the paddock during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 22, 2015 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
FIA recently announced that it would allow Russian drivers to race in the motorsports world under their flag. Because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian athletes had been banned from competing under the Russian flag. The decision announced by the governing body has garnered mixed reactions, but it has found one positive supporter; former F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone.
The former F1 boss believes the FA made the right decision. He mentioned that Russian athletes have the right to compete in motorsports as they have nothing to do with the conflict in Ukraine.
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It was absolutely the right move: Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone
As reported by Formula Passion, the Briton mentioned that the Russian athletes did not do anything wrong, and banning them was wrong. According to the decision of letting Russian drivers race means that Haas driver Nikita Mazepin could compete in the 2022 season.
“It was absolutely the right decision by the FIA. If there is a Russian driver in F1, what does it have to do with Russia fighting a war? There is no relationship there. The Russian athletes have nothing to do with this conflict. They are not part of it, and they have never been part of it,” said Ecclestone.
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Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – February 23, 2022, Haas’ Nikita Mazepin during testing REUTERS/Albert Gea
Ecclestone also questioned if canceling the Russian Grand Prix was the right decision made by F1. He mentioned that canceling the race made no sense, as there was no war in Russia.
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“The Formula 1 group decided it was the right thing to do to cancel the race, but whether that was the right thing to do, I don’t know. There is no war in Russia. The FIA confirmed it was canceled because the Formula 1 group canceled it. If nobody spoke about canceling the race, I am sure the FIA wouldn’t have done anything,” said the ex-F1 boss.
These are certainly interesting comments made by the Ex-F1 boss regarding the crisis.
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The jury is still out whether FIA made the correct decision by letting Russian drivers race in these circumstances. Let us know your opinion on FIA’s decision.
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