Russian Formula 3 Alexander Smolyar finished third in today’s season-opening race after entering the championship as a neutral competitor and switching to a plain black livery.
Smolyar initially announced he would withdraw from F3 after the FIA imposed restrictions on Russian competitors in reaction to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I stand with the decision of SMP Racing to stop its European program as a result of an unprecedented requirements that FIA put on any Russian driver as a condition for access to international competitions,” Smolyar stated last week.
However, he was later confirmed as part of MP Motorsport’s line up on the day before practice for the opening round of the new season season.
Unlike his team mates Caio Collet and Kush Maini who are running MP-branded blue cars, Smolyar’s car has been converted to a black livery.
The FIA confirmed Smolyar, who is competing as an Authorised Neutral Driver, has signed its driver agreement. Amongst other…