Formula 1 terminates contract with Russian GP promoter

Formula 1 has permanently terminated its contract with the promoter of the Russian Grand Prix, insisting the sport will no longer race in the country in the future.

F1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media held a deal with Russian Grand Promoter Rosgonki that ran until 2025.

But wave of sanctions against Russia that have followed its invasion of Ukraine have led to the contract's unilateral cancellation.

The move comes in the wake of F1's swift decision to scrap this year's race in Sochi from the sport's calendar.

"Formula 1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future," read a statement from Formula One Management.

Russia's actions have triggered a barrage of reactions from sporting institutions all over the world.

The International Olympic Committee recommended that all governing bodies should ban athletes from Russia and Belarus from international events, while FIFA has suspended Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions.

• Read also: Russian drivers banned from competing in Britain

Last week, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem wrote to the Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FUA) to offer his support to the country.

However, following an extraordinary meeting earlier this week of its World Motor Sport Council, the FIA steered clear of banning drivers holding a Russian or Belarusian licence from competitions, and instead has allowed the latter to take part in international competitions in a "neutral capacity" and under the governing body's flag.

But Britain's motorsport UK body has taken matters into its own hands, announcing on Wednesday that competitors holding a Russian licence will not be allowed to compete in any events taking place in Britain.

Motorsport bodies in Sweden and in Finland have also suspended until further notice competitors holding a Russian licence.

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