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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Corless

F1 cancels Russian Grand Prix amid Ukraine invasion as death toll rises

The Russian Grand Prix can not be held in the current circumstances, an F1 statement said on Friday.

Russia's invasion of the Ukraine continued overnight, and Ukrainian officials confirmed the death toll from the first day of the war left 137 people dead and 316 injured.

The Sochi GP is traditionally held during the second half of the F1 season, but it was confirmed that the 2022 edition of the race has been cancelled.

"The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together," the statement said.

"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."

Lewis Hamilton shakes Vladimir Putin's hand after the 2018 Grand Prix in Sochi (REX/Shutterstock)

The statement comes as pre-season training continues in Barcelona for all 10 teams, ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix next month.

On Thursday, several drivers expressed their sadness at the developing situation in eastern Europe, with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and reigning champion Max Verstappen saying they wouldn't want to compete in Russia.

Vettel said: “My own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in that country. I’m sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership.

“I woke up again after this morning’s news, shocked. I think it’s horrible to see what is happening.”

Verstappen said: "When a country is at war, it is not right to race there."

Red Bull chief Christian Horner added: “I can’t see how we can go possibly to Russia in the current climate. It’s an issue for the governing body and the commercial rights holder that are responsible but how much can things change between now and September?”

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