Daniil Kvyat's 2022 season is currently in jeopardy, as the Russian driver failed to sign an FIA-issued document specifically for competitors from the country and Belarus. After spending 2021 as Alpine's reserve driver, Kvyat recently signed a deal to race in the World Endurance Championship with Russian team G-Drive Racing. G-Drive Racing are backed by Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft, based in St. Petersburg, with Alexander Krylov, Head of Gazprom Neft's Regional Sales Directorate, being the head of the team. However, Kvyat may now not get the opportunity to make his debut in the series, or take part in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours later this season.
Kvyat fails to sign FIA 'Neutrality and Peace Commitment'
In the wake of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, sporting bodies from around the world scrambled to find solutions to allow competitors from the two countries to participate in their respective sports. In the FIA's case, the governing body issued a document that holders of a Russian Automobile Federation competition licence - of which Kvyat is one - are required to sign if they wish to compete. The 'Neutrality and Peace Commitment' requires Russian drivers to agree to guidelines and measures such as not displaying any Russian flags or symbology on their cars, clothing, and social media, as well as not expressing support, direct or otherwise, for the actions taken by Russia or Russian President Vladimir Putin. The deadline for signing this document was 20:00 CET on 4 March, and RacingNews365.com understands Kvyat, as well as G-Drive Racing team manager Roman Rusinov, failed to sign the document. As it stands, the stance taken by Kvyat and Rusinov precludes them, both as a driver and a race team, from participating in the 2022 World Endurance Championship. Kvyat declined to comment when approached by RacingNews365.com , but although he would not be able to participate in the championship he may have misunderstood the failure to sign also prevents him from racing in another series. Kvyat has become the second high-profile Russian driver to face a year on the sidelines. On Friday, Haas F1 team confirmed they had severed ties with title sponsor Uralkali, a Russian potash fertiliser company – a personal sponsor of driver Nikita Mazepin, whose father is the ultimate beneficiary of the company.
Rusinov refuses to sign
Rusinov has taken to social media to confirm he had refused to sign the document on the grounds of discrimination. The post by Rusinov was 'liked' by Kvyat. "Today, I, the pilot of the Russian G-Drive Racing team, refused to accept the discriminatory conditions of the FIA," Rusinov wrote. "The goal of each athlete is to hear the anthem of their country on the podium. Over 10 years of international experience, our team has done this many times. We raised the Russian flag, we heard and sang the Russian anthem. "For the sake of my fans, for the sake of my teammates and sporting honour, I will not sign this document. Better not to drive at all."
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