Tuesday March 1, the presidents of the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) and the FIA (International Automobile Federation) met in Dubai.
The President of the FIM, Jorge Viegas, and the President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem spoke at length about the worrying situation in Ukraine and the decisions they would have to take in the coming days regarding Russia's involvement in this conflict. In addition to this urgent and all-important issue, other topics were discussed such as anti-doping sanctions, SSV, as well as joint projects regarding sports, circuit homologations, medical, sustainability and women in sport. Jorge Viegas took advantage of his visit to meet representatives of the United Arab Emirates Federation (EMSO).
The FIM will soon communicate its decisions regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the impact on the FIM's activities, which concern MXGP and Speedway more than speed...
For its part, the FIA has already taken sanctions against Russia and Belarus, without penalizing individual drivers:
– No international competitions should take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice,
– No flags/symbols or anthems of Russia and Belarus will be used during international/zonal competitions, until further notice,
– Cancellation of the 1 F2022 Russian Grand Prix due to force majeure,
– No Russian/Belarusian national team will participate in international competitions until further notice,
– Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials may only participate in international/zonal competitions in a neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to specific commitment and respect for the principles of peace and political neutrality of the FIA, until further notice,
– Representatives of Russian/Belarusian Members of the FIA must temporarily step aside from their roles and responsibilities as elected leaders/commission members,
– No FIA subsidies will be provided to FIA Members from Russia/Belarus, until further notice,
– No existing FIA subsidies will be paid to FIA Members from Russia/Belarus.
In his opening speech to the extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), the President of the FIA
Mohammed Ben Sulayem said : " As you know, the FIA is following the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a rapid and peaceful resolution of the current situation. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our hearts go out to all those suffering because of the events in Ukraine. I would like to emphasize that the FIA, together with our promoters, acted proactively on this issue last week and communicated accordingly across Formula 1, Formula 2, WTCR and the International Drifting Cup. An updated version of the various FIA international calendars will be presented to the WMSC meeting in Bahrain for approval.
I would like to thank the members of the Council for their promptness in deciding on these measures in the interest of sport and peace. We stand in solidarity with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FAU) and the big FIA family in the country. The actions taken today recognize the authority of the FAU in Ukraine and also align with recommendations made recently by the International Olympic Committee. We are in active discussions with our members and continue to offer our compassion and support during these difficult times. We sincerely hope for a peaceful resolution of their intolerable difficulties.
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