Kvyat pleads for peace - urges federations not to ban Russian athletes

Ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat has pleaded for peace between his home nation of Russia and its neighbor Ukraine.

The former Red Bull charger, who currently lives in Monaco but was born in Russia, took to social media to deliver a heartfelt message in which he expresses his hopes that his home country and Ukraine can settle their differences in a peaceful manner.

"I really hope for a peaceful solution to this situation in Ukraine, and that we can all live in peace," wrote Kvyat.

"Hopefully all parties can find a solution by sitting together and through a respectful dialogue.
It horrifies me to see two brotherhood nations in conflict.

"I don't want military actions and wars to influence the future of humanity, I want my daughter and all children to enjoy this beautiful world."

Read also: FIA calls extraordinary meeting to discuss Ukraine crisis

As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, Russian president Vladimir Putin's actions against its neighboring state have been unanimously condemned by the Western world which have hit Russia with a massive package of economic and financial sanctions.

But sporting federations all over the world are applying their own pressure on the Russian state.

Formula 1 has canceled next September's Russian Grand Prix in Sochi while the FIA has convened for today an extraordinary meeting of its WMSC to address the conflict in Ukraine.

Furthermore, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended that all governing bodies should ban athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international competitions.

©G-Drive

An outright ban would obviously impact Kvyat's 2022 programme as the Russian is signed up to race in the 2022 WEC with Russian outfit G-Drive.

In his message, Kvyat denounced the wave of "unfair" punishments levied upon Russian athletes.

"I also would like to highlight and address all sports federations across the world, including the IOC, that sport should remain outside of politics," he added.

"And disallowing Russian athletes and teams from participating in world competitions is an unfair solution and goes against what sport teaches us on its principle – the unity and peace.

"Who else if not us sports people will help to glue nations together in the upcoming times?"

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.