Ukraine asks FIA to reverse decision allowing Russian racers

Following the FIA’s decision to drop the ban on Russian and Belarusian drivers, the Ukrainian government sent a letter to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem asking the body to reverse that ruling. The appeal, conveyed by the Ukrainian automobile federation, highlighted that the sanction lift was a surprise and might jeopardise the fairness of motorsport contests, especially given the damage Ukrainian sport has endured in the conflict.

The federation also referenced the deaths of Ukrainian competitors in the war. In response, the FIA said it has revised eligibility requirements for Russian and Belarusian participants, aligning with recent International Olympic Committee guidance, while still prohibiting events in the two countries. The organization emphasized ongoing monitoring of the situation in Ukraine and reserved the right to adjust its stance later. Russian automobile federation president Boris Romanovich Rotenberg praised the FIA’s dialogue and called for full reinstatement of Russia’s membership.