FIA lifts restrictions on Russian drivers and teams

The FIA has lifted restrictions on individuals from Russia and Belarus from participation in international motorsport competitions.

Those provisions had been in place since March 2022, under emergency measures, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and were revised in February 2023 - although the FIA has never implemented an outright ban on those drivers, competitors, or officials, who have instead been allowed to participate under the 'FIA flag'.

A signed commitment to neutrality had previously been required, with such participation "subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA's principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice", while drivers holding dual citizenship could also compete under their other nationalities.

However, a letter issued on Thursday August 13 by the FIA Legal Office stated that the above previously adopted emergency measures would be lifted.

"Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, individual competitors and officials are allowed to participate in international/zone competitions without any restrictions," the communication stated. "The requirement of signing a commitment to neutrality no longer applies."

That was implemented and became binding at a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on August 3, and will remain in force until further notice.

Additionally, Russian and Belarusian national symbols, colours, and flags can now be displayed again, while their national anthems can be played.

However, the FIA has upheld its ban on international competitions taking place on Russian or Belarusian territory.

The FIA also said it "continues to carefully monitor the events in Ukraine and reserves the right to take any further actions or implement further measures in the future, including any necessary actions required to comply with its obligations under any applicable sanctions regime and/or any contracts to which the FIA is a party".

The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted Russia's suspension last month. In May it also recommended that a ban on Belarusian athletes be lifted to allow them to compete under their national identity - although this was rejected by the World Athletics governing body.

Unlike the FIA, motorcycle racing's governing body the FIM implemented and has upheld a full ban on Russian and Belarusian individuals from international motorcycle racing events.