Ukraine lodged a formal complaint with the FIA ethics committee after the organization removed the ban on Russian competitors.
Ukraine Demands FIA Action Over Russian Federation Offices
The Ukrainian Automobile Federation (FAU) requested an urgent probe of the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF), alleging that the latter runs offices in Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia—areas recognised by the United Nations as Ukrainian territory.
Legal Grounds: FIA Statutes and International Sporting Code
According to Article 3.3 of the FIA Statutes and Article 1.4.1 of the International Sporting Code, each country may appoint only one national sporting authority. The RAF’s presence in occupied regions is cited as a direct violation of these provisions.
Sanctions and Leadership Issues
The complaint highlights that RAF leaders, including president Boris Rotenberg, face sanctions from the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union for aggression against Ukraine. The FAU urges the FIA to enforce closure of the RAF’s offices and impose sanctions.
Impact on Drivers and Events
Earlier this month, the FIA lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers, permitting them to compete under their national flags, yet it maintained limits on hosting international events in those countries. Russian drivers have consequently switched national licences—Robert Shwartzman now holds an Israeli flag, while Daniil Kvyat and Nikita Bedrin race with Italian licences, and junior categories feature Russian talent representing Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
FIA’s Current Stance and Pending Measures
Despite the reversed driver restrictions, the FIA remains firm on limiting events in Russia and Belarus, having cancelled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix and postponing plans for the Sochi Autodrom. The FAU now asks the ethics committee to investigate the RAF’s activities and to enforce compliance with FIA rules.
The outcome of this investigation will clarify whether the RAF can continue its operations in contested Ukrainian regions without breaching international sporting governance.
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