Drivers with Russian and Belarusian licences banned from racing in the UK
Motorsport UK has banned teams racing with licenses from Russia or Belarus from racing in the UK, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. MSUK has also moved to ban drivers and teams from displaying flags from either Russia or Belarus or any national symbols or colours.
The move comes following the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition, and goes further than the FIA’s decision this week, which still allowed them to race under a neutral flag.
Motorsport UK’s ban does not technically exclude all Russian or Belarusian nationals, but prevents them from competing with a licence issued from either of those countries. A Russian driver with a UK or other country-issued licence, for example, would still be able to compete.
Implications for the ban will be felt across motorsport in the UK. For example, at the highest level, it would bar Haas F1’s Russian driver Nikita Mazepin from racing in this year’s British Grand Prix.
David Richards, MSUK Chairman, said: “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.
“We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded. 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).
“It is our duty to use whatever influence and leverage we might have to bring this wholly unjustified invasion of Ukraine to a halt. 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.
"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.”
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.
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