Russian Athletes will be permitted to take part in Formula 1 again, as the FIA confirmed it has lifted the ban imposed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Motorsport governing body is lifting a ban that has been in place since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, which has affected numerous drivers across multiple series.
Since the ban was introduced at the start of the war, Russian athletes have been barred from participating in FIA-sanctioned sports, having their national anthem played, or racing under the Russian flag.
One of the most well-known drivers affected was former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin, who lost his seat at Haas prior to the ruling and is now free to race in the sport again.
Mazepin’s and his father, Dmitry, also saw his fertiliser company Uralkali expelled as a sponsor of the team at the same time, is also free to return to the F1 paddock.
In a statement, the FIA explained that the decision also now allows Belarusian drivers to compete in its sanctioned sports.
“This decision follows the measures previously adopted by the WMSC in relation to the conflict in Ukraine, as reflected in the circulars of 10 and 27 February 2023, which set out the scope of the emergency measures applicable, inter alia, to the Russian and Belarusian states, Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, individual competitors and officials, as well as events based in Russia and Belarus (FIA emergency measures),”
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