Source:REUTERS/Claudia Greco
[Saba Sports News] Russian rally legend Vladimir Chagin, organizer of the Silk Road Rally, complained in an interview that more than two years after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the F1 governing body still maintains a strong anti-Russian sentiment. Last year, Chagin had to withdraw his Kamaz team from the Dakar Rally because the company was suspected of providing armored vehicles for Vladimir Putin’s military actions. Chagin stated that the FIA continues to take a hardline stance against Russian drivers. Before participating in national competitions, Russian drivers are required to sign an FIA questionnaire stating their condemnation of special military operations, criticism of the Russian president, and support for Ukraine. Due to unfair treatment by the FIA, Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin has sued the EU in ordinary courts in an attempt to overturn sanctions imposed on him due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Unable to participate in F1, Mazepin can only compete in the Asian Le Mans Series. He has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the FIA in interviews.