Russian teams and drivers have been banned from racing in the UK

The UK’s motorsport governing body has today announced a ban on Russian and Belarusian teams, drivers and officials from taking part in UK motorsport events.

Motorsport UK will not recognise racing licences issued by the Russian Automobile Federation nor the Belarus Automobile Federation, effective immediately. For Formula One, that means Haas’s Nikita Mazepin won’t race at this year’s British Grand Prix, even though he's permitted to race elsewhere under the FIA's neutral flag.

Along with banning Russian and Belarusian teams, competitors and officials from UK motorsport events, there’s also a ban on Russian and Belarusian national symbols, colours and flags.

Chair of Motorsport UK David Richards CBE 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 FIA,” Richards added.

The UK motorsport ban follows a meeting at the FIA where new president Mohammed Ben Sulayem outlined global motorsport actions, which include suspending all motorsport in Russia and Belarus, along with flags, symbols and national anthems in international competitions.

Further, Russian and Belarusian national teams have been banned from competition, while individual drivers from those states can participate in a “neutral capacity and under the ‘FIA flag’”. Any Russian and Belarusian FIA members are to temporarily step aside from their roles, there will be no grants awarded and “upon proposal of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder”, a cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix.

“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,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.