In the midst of the ongoing military activity in Ukraine, speculations have surfaced that the Russian Grand Prix in 2022 may have been canceled, as the tickets sale for the race at Sochi Autodrom is indefinitely halted on Formula One's official page. Doubts about September's race in Sochi going ahead are being raised due to the highly delicate political situation between Russia and the western world over a potential invasion of Ukraine. However, there is no official word from Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of Formula One.
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The 2022 Formula One season is all set to begin in Bahrain next month followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Australian GP, Miami GP, Monaco GP, British GP. The season's 17th race in Russia was originally scheduled to take place on September 25, 2022. Consequently, F1 fans across the globe turned to social media to demand the exclusion as well as a boycott of the Russian GP from the 2022 race calendar. Although unconfirmed, Turkish GP could be a possible replacement in the F1 2022 race calendar that includes a record total of 23 races.
The Russian GP was removed from the 2022 race calendar earlier today.
Photo Credit: Formula One
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Earlier, Nikita Mazepin had indicated a degree of inside knowledge that Formula 1 has no plans to cancel this year's Russian Grand Prix. The Haas driver was quizzed about whether his home race was in jeopardy after taking part in the opening F1 track session of 2022 at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
The season's 17th race in Russia was originally scheduled to take place on September 25, 2022.
Photo Credit: Formula One
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In June 2021, Formula 1 confirmed Igora Drive will replace Sochi Autodrom as the home of Russia's round of the world championship from the 2023 season. At 4.086 km, Igora Drive already exceeded the minimum length required for Formula 1 tracks, however, a new loop will extend the circuit to 5.18 km, bringing it into line with most F1 circuits. It is located approximately 64 km north of Saint Petersburg.
Watch this space for more information.
