DUBAI: Four-times Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel said he will not take part in the Russian Grand Prix even if it goes ahead as planned after Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on Thursday.
Russia has held grand prix races since 2014, with this year’s event scheduled for Sept. 25.
Formula One officials have said they are “closely watching” developments, but they have not commented on whether the Russian Grand Prix would go ahead on schedule in September.
“My own opinion is I should not go,” Vettel, who races for Aston Martin, told reporters during pre-season testing in Barcelona. “I think it’s wrong to race in the country.”
“I’m sorry for the innocent people that are losing their lives, that are getting killed for stupid reasons and a very, very strange and mad leadership,” the 34-year-old said.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen agreed.
“When a country is at war, it’s not correct to race there, that’s for sure,” said the Red Bull driver.
Western sanctions against Russia are likely to include measures against more Russian banks including VTB, the title sponsor of the Russian Grand Prix.
The race, set to move to a track outside St. Petersburg starting next year from its current Sochi Olympic Park venue, has been attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past, who has also handed out trophies on the podium.
“Formula One is closely watching the very fluid developments,” the sport’s commercial rights holder, which was acquired by US-based Liberty Media in 2017, said in a statement without mentioning the September race.
Formula One also includes Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, a 22-year-old who drives for the US-owned Haas team, whose title sponsor is Russian potash producer Uralkali, owned by his father and billionaire Dmitry Mazepin.
Haas team boss Guenther Steiner had been scheduled to appear at a press conference on Thursday but was withdrawn from the lineup.
Motor racing-Four-times F1 champion Vettel says will not race in Russia
https://arab.news/9bmyr
Motor racing-Four-times F1 champion Vettel says will not race in Russia
- Formula One officials have not commented on whether the Russian Grand Prix would go ahead on schedule in September
- "My own opinion is I should not go," Vettel told reporters during pre-season testing in Barcelona
Riyadh Marathon witnesses world champs, strong community participation
- Health minister says race supports initiative to improve health, quality of life
RIYADH: The Riyadh Marathon 2026 concluded on Saturday after four days of elite competition and community-focused activities, marking a successful fifth edition supported by partners and sponsors.
The marathon festival was held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University from Jan. 28-31, combining world-class athletic competition with a wide-ranging entertainment and cultural experience.
A strong lineup of international elite runners competed in the event, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Among the leading women athletes were Ethiopian world champion Gotytom Gebreslase and fellow Ethiopian Gulume Chala, alongside Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich and Nguriatukei Rael Kinyara.
The men’s field featured Moroccan runner Othmane El-Goumri, Bahraini athlete Oluwakemi Adekoya and several world half-marathon champions.
The Riyadh Marathon retained its World Athletics Elite Road Race accreditation for the fifth consecutive year and welcomed runners from 125 countries, as well as local clubs and participants of all ages and fitness levels.
Saudi Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel took part in the marathon and shared a message on his official X account,@FahadAlJalajel, saying he was pleased to take part in the event, which reflected the concept of “Sport for All” and supported the Live Healthy national initiative to improve health and quality of life.
He thanked Prince Khaled bin Al-Waleed bin Talal for backing the initiative and stressed that encouraging movement as a daily lifestyle was essential to improving public health and quality of life, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Organized by the Saudi Sports for All Federation, the marathon was delivered in strategic partnership with several government entities, including Vision 2030, the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the Saudi Athletics Federation, the National Events Center and the Riyadh Municipality, reflecting strong institutional coordination.
The 5 km and 10 km races were held within the university campus, while the 21 km half-marathon and 42 km full-marathon routes extended beyond the campus through major roads in northern Riyadh, with all races finishing inside the university.
In addition to the races, the festival featured a diverse program of live music, performances, cultural and heritage activities, and interactive experiences for all age groups, hosted in the race village and assembly areas.
The event concluded on Saturday with competitions across four main categories: the full marathon 42 km, half marathon 21 km, 10 km race, and the 5 km race dedicated to families and beginners, reinforcing the Riyadh Marathon’s position as one of Saudi Arabia’s leading community sporting events.
