More and more questions about the Russian Grand Prix in F1
As international pressures on Russia increase due to the crisis in Ukraine, more and more questions are being raised about the holding of the Russian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place in a month.
Mercedes is one of the teams for whom the question of the Russian Grand Prix is most pressing. Indeed, the team has as its title sponsor the national oil company of Malaysia, Petronas. Therefore, one can imagine that the authorities of this country may not be pleased to be exposed during an event on Russian territory, just a few weeks after the tragedy of the downed Malaysia Airlines plane.
To the question posed on the subject by Daniel Ortelli of AFP, Toto Wolff, the team director, replied: « We are a sports team, and I believe that sports should unite people. We have to trust our federation and the promoter to provide us with guidance and information. It is always dangerous to read the news and form an opinion because that opinion could be really wrong compared to what is happening. So I think that’s what we are going to do, trust the FIA’s opinion and then follow their advice. »
This position is followed by all team leaders and sponsors present in the sport, as shown by the statements of Paul Hembery, the head of competition at Pirelli: « From the perspective of our business activity, Russia is an important country for us. We have two factories there, and we have been international for over 140 years. We will therefore continue to operate everywhere in the world and, over all these years, you can imagine that there have been many incidents in the world. You must therefore take a somewhat longer-term view. So I agree with Toto’s point of view. In the end, if there is an event, we provide the tires, and if the sport goes there, we will be there. »
The opinion of Paul Hembery is all the less surprising given that the main shareholder of Pirelli is Russian. Similarly, John Booth of Marussia had nothing to add to what his two colleagues had stated.
Meanwhile, the Sochi circuit posted a tweet showing a beautiful sunset over the sea, as if nothing had happened…
Sun goes down, fun goes up! Enjoy your days off and do not miss the exciting race weekend in Monza! #F1Sochi pic.twitter.com/wurFUNfE4O
— Sochi Autodrom (@SochiAutodrom) 5 Septembre 2014
From our special correspondent in Monza
