Photo: WTCR

Russian drivers can compete in “neutral capacity” while Russian teams are banned

By

The FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) today confirmed that Russian and Belarusian drivers can continue to take part in FIA sanctioned events, such as the WTCR and the FIA Motorsport Games, in a “neutral capacity” and under “FIA flag”.

Russian and Belarusian national teams meanwhile are banned from taking part, meaning that Team Russia, winners of the inaugural FIA Motorsport games in 2019 with Klim Gavrilov, cannot enter this year’s event at Paul Ricard in October.

Lada Sport Rosneft will most likely not be able to return to the WTCR this year, having previously stated that it considered further wild card entries.

Also announced today was that Russian and Belarusian members of the FIA Commissions will be required to step down from their roles temporarily.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated:

“As you know, the FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine. I would like to stress that the FIA, together with our promoters, proactively acted on this matter last week and communicated accordingly on the Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the International Drifting Cup. An updated version of the different FIA International Calendars will be presented to the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.”