F1 cancels Russian Grand Prix following Sebastian Vettel boycott

F1 announced it had canceled the Russia Grand Prix after the events in Ukraine, drivers call for a boycott.

Former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel was the first driver to boycott the Russian Grand Prix, but others have followed suit since, including current top F1 driver, Max Verstappen.

And it looks like F1 is on the same page, as it’s announced it has canceled the upcoming Russia Grand Prix.

“The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together,” F1 wrote in a statement. “We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”

F1 canceled the Russia Grand Prix following the invasion of Ukraine

Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is the first large-scale attack on a European nation in well over 70 years. It’s a shocking turn of events that many thought would only center around only two regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, but turned to full-scale invasion as of Wednesday morning.

Russia was set to host a Formula One event in the fall.

“I should not go, I will not go,” Vettel said according to Mirror. “People are being killed for stupid reasons. A very strange and mad leadership. Innumerable missiles and bombs have been raining down on an entirely innocent population. A vast invasion is under way, by land, by sea and by air.”