Sir Menzies Campbell, of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said
that there should be an “assessment of the suitability” as to whether Russia
is fit to stage the race.
The former Liberal Democrat leader said: “Public opinion all over the world
will find it difficult to accept Mr Putin taking all the plaudits for this
grand prix in Russia and, no doubt, presenting the prizes.”
The driving force behind the race has been President Vladimir Putin himself,
who has a good relationship with F1’s supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The
manufacturers are also conscious that Russia is the fourth largest car
market in the world. The circuit is designed around the Olympic Park, but
there are fears that it could resemble little more than a car park this year
with ticket sales for the race not expected to be high.
While the World Motorbike Federation has cancelled the superbike race in Sochi
scheduled for September, the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, has given no
indications that it plans to do the same. A spokesman said it “does not mix
politics and sport”.
Dr Andrew Foxall, director of the Russian Studies Centre at the British-based
Henry Jackson Society think tank, countered that the race would represent a
“tacit approval” of Putin’s regime. “Formula One is not, and never has been,
an organisation known for morality,” he said. “There are a host of reasons
why this race should not go ahead.”
Ecclestone, who has previously courted controversy for backing Putin’s stance
on gay rights, said that he planned to “honour our contract” with Putin. “Mr
Putin personally has been very supportive and very helpful, and we will do
the same,” the 83-year-old said.
The Foreign Office does not warn against travel to Sochi. A spokesman declined
to comment specifically on the race.
There is increasing nervousness in the paddock about the possible fallout from
the race. Most are waiting to see the response of the West to the crisis.
“The next few days will be crucial,” an insider said at the weekend.
Any freezing of Russian bank accounts and travel restrictions could be
particularly problematic, especially given all freight from the race will
have to travel to the United States for the following GP in Austin.
One source of pressure may come from sponsors. Mercedes’
title sponsor, Malaysia’s national oil firm Petronas, has set up a fund for
the victims of the crash. It did not return a request for comment.
The drivers are reluctant to express a view beyond offering their sympathy to
the victims of the disaster. Lotus’s Pastor Maldonado said at the weekend:
“It is not the time to talk about the Russian Grand Prix.” That will soon
change.
Meanwhile, Ecclestone confirmed that Formula One will race in Mexico City next
year. It last hosted a race in 1992