Formula
1 on Thursday has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix, which takes
place on Sochi resort. The sport’s commercial arm said it is impossible to
organise racing in Russia as the country invaded Ukraine, reported BBC.

Also Read: F1: Russian Grand Prix cancelled after invasion of Ukraine

The
F1 had earlier cancelled this year’s race in Sochi as an effort to isolate
Russia from the world of sports. F1 is among the many sports bodies that opted
to ban Russia or cancel events in the country.

President
Vladimir Putin played a key role in bringing in the event in 2014. Putin, who
remains closely associated with the race, has a palace in Sochi and St
Petersburg is his home town.

The
decision means F1 will not have any race in Russia for the foreseeable future –
effectively, at least for as long as Putin remains in power.

Also Read: Formula 1: Russian drivers escape ban, will race under FIA flag

“Formula
1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix
promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future,” Formula 1 said in a
statement.

Split between F1 and FIA

The
Sochi race is one of the most lucrative races on the calendar and had a
long-term contract. The action by F1’s commercial arm stands in stark contrast
to the decision by governing body the FIA this week to allow Russian
competitors to take part in global motorsport events.

It
is a rare public split between F1 and the FIA, and an indication of F1’s dismay
at the FIA’s stance on Russia.

Also Read: Sebastian Vettel will not race in Russia, says people getting killed for ‘stupid reasons’ in Ukraine

The
FIA has already faced a backlash from the decision by its world motorsport
council on Tuesday. The following day UK motorsport’s governing body banned all
Russian licence holders from competing in the UK.

The
FIA justified its decision by saying it was in line with the policy of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC).

But
the IOC, to which the FIA is affiliated, recommended on Tuesday that
“event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and
Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions… in order to
protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all
participants”.