Sebastian Vettel has challenged Formula 1 bosses not to go ahead with this year’s Russian Grand Prix, saying he will not take part in the race following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia sent troops into the country within the last 24 hours. F1 said earlier today it is “monitoring the situation” and its potential impact on the race which is due to take place in September.
Vettel, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, said the group had not discussed the issue yet but he is firm in his view the race should not go ahead. “As GPDA we haven’t spoken on the subject so I can’t speak on behalf of GPDA,” he said in today’s FIA press conference.
“But in my personal opinion, obviously I woke up to this morning’s news shocked. I don’t know, 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…