Bildnummer: 15056764 Datum: 17.11.2013 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI NOV 17 2013: Race Champion Infiniti Red Bull Racing Sebastian Vettel (Germany) spray the crowd with champaign after winning the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. AUTO: NOV 17 F1 - United States Grand Prix PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon276131117121; Motorsport Formel 1 F1 F WM GP USA Austin Texas Sieg Siegerehrung Freude xns x0x 2013 quer Image number 15056764 date 17 11 2013 Copyright imago Icon Smi Nov 17 2013 Race Champion Infiniti Red Bull Racing Sebastian Vettel Germany Spray The Crowd with Champaign After Winning The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix AT The Circuit of The Americas Cota in Austin Texas Car Nov 17 F1 United States Grand Prix PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon276131117121 motor aviation Formula 1 F1 F World Cup GP USA Austin Texas Victory Award Ceremony happiness xns x0x 2013 horizontal
Sebastian Vettel has publicly condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. He suggested that the F1 authorities should cancel the Russian Grand Prix. The Russian GP is scheduled to take place in Sochi on September 25. The German stated that he would personally boycott the event if it takes place.
The four-time F1 champion 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.” The German further added, “I woke up again after this morning’s news. I think it’s horrible to see what is happening.“
Vettel is not the only one from the F1 community to have his say on this issue. It is a global crisis and there are various other statements on similar lines. Reigning World champion, Max Verstappen has opened up on the issue. The Red Bull driver has raised concerns about racing in Russia. “When a country is at war it’s not right to race there“, said the Belgian-Dutch racer.
The team principal of Red Bull spoke on similar lines. “I can’t see how we can possibly go to Russia in the current climate“, said Christian Horner. While most among the F1 community have echoed each other, Haas driver Nikita Mazepin has a different opinion.
The Russian stated, “Don’t mix sports with politics“. He further added, “From the understanding that we’ve had with Formula 1, the race is going ahead. You’ll surely see me there. I’ve always been a big supporter of sport without politics.”
F1 authorities have been monitoring the situation closely. They haven’t made an official statement yet but we can definitely expect an official statement from F1 very soon.
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