Max Verstappen And Sebastian Vettel Call On Formula One To Remove The Russian Grand Prix From The 2022 Calendar

Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel have called on Formula One to remove the Russian Grand Prix from the 2022 race calendar.

The two drivers spoke out on Thursday after Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Grand Prix is due to take place in Sochi on September 25 and four-time world champion Vettel has suggested he will boycott the race if it is not removed from the calendar.

Speaking at pre-season testing in Barcelona, the Aston Martin driver said: “In my personal opinion, obviously I woke up again after this morning's news, shocked.

“I think it's horrible to see what is happening. Obviously if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia.

“For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it's wrong to race in that country.

“I'm sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership.

“I'm sure it's something we will talk about, but as I said as GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association), we haven't come together yet.”

Defending world champion Max Verstappen has also called for the race to be scrapped but stopped short of criticising Russia.

The Red Bull driver said: “When a country is at war, it is not right to race there.”

Formula One has refused to commit to making a decision over the Russian Grand Prix.

A statement released on Thursday read: “F1 is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September.

“We will continue to monitor the situation very closely.”

Russia is facing the prospect of expulsion from several major sporting events after president Vladimir Putin pressed ahead with the military invasion.

UEFA is expected to move this season's Champions League final, which was due to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on May 28.

The Ukrainian Football Association have also called on UEFA and FIFA to immediately ban Russian teams from taking part in their tournaments.