F1's governing body, the FIA, has been urged by the Ukrainian Automobile Federation (FAU) to put a ban on Russian licence holders from competing outside of their home country, in the wake of Russia's invasion. Russian military forces launched a major military assault on neighbouring Ukraine last week, a move that has been condemned by leaders around the world and led to heavy sanctions being imposed by western nations. Russia had been set to stage a number of major events in 2022, including the Champions League Final and the Russian Grand Prix, but the former has been moved and the latter suspended amid the crisis. Now, the FAU has issued a wide-ranging list of requests to the FIA, in response to a letter from newly-elected President Mohammed Ben Sulayem that promised "my full support" and that of the governing body. "I sincerely hope that this situation will improve as quickly as possible without any harm to the civilian population," added Ben Sulayem.
FIA urged to ban Russian licence holders, including Mazepin
Responding to Ben Sulayem, FAU President Leonid Kostyuchenko - on behalf his federation's members - expressed his "sincere gratitude" for the words of support from the FIA. "Given the current situation, the FAU is preparing a proposal for possible measures of support from the FIA for the post-war period, when all state resources will be directed to recovery," continued the letter. One of the FAU's requests is to prohibit holders of all licences issued by the RAF (Russian Automobile Federation) and BAF (Belarusian Automobile Federation) from competitions outside the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, a move that would directly impact Haas driver Nikita Mazepin. Haas took the decision to remove the logos of team sponsor Uralkali - a Russian potash fertiliser producer and exporter owned by Mazepin's father - for the final day of last week's pre-season test in Barcelona. Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has admitted that the futures of Uralkali as a sponsor and Mazepin as a driver are not guaranteed . Other FAU requests include a ban on FIA and FIA-authorised competitions within the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, and to exclude from the FIA all members from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
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