Sebastian Vettel has called on Formula 1 to cancel this year’s Russian Grand Prix. This is coming after Russian forces made their way into Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday in an invasion, drawing criticism from around the world. The four-time world champion accused Russia of killing innocent citizens “for stupid reasons” and said he would not race at the event even if it holds. The Russian GP is on the 2022 F1 calendar to hold on September 25 in Sochi.

Speaking on the issue, Vettel said, “Obviously, if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia. For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, and I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in the country.

“I’m sorry for the people, innocent people that are losing their lives, that are getting killed for stupid reasons and a very, very strange and mad leadership.

“I’m sure it’s something that we will talk about, but personally, I’m just so shocked and sad to see what is going on. So we will see going forward, but I think my decision is already made.”

But Vettel is not the only one outraged. Haas has agreed to drop their Russian sponsor, Uralkali, ahead of the final testing at Barcelona on Friday; “Haas F1 Team will present its VF-22 in a plain white livery, minus Uralkali branding, for the third and final day of track running at Circuit de Barcelona on Friday, February 25.” Their Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin, would drive in the morning session as planned.

2021 world champion Max Verstappen said that it was not right to race in a country that was at war. Fernando Alonso said that the decision to allow the Russian GP to go on as planned or not would be taken by F1, trusting them to do the best.

Written by: Leon Osamor