Formula 1 didn't want to cancel the Russian Grand Prix, but then the drivers canceled it for them

[Pluvious]

From BoingBoing :

After Russia invaded Ukraine this week, the people who run Formula 1 had to deal with the problem of the Russian Grand Prix: so much money, but so much bad press! After an ambiguous wait-and-see statement that suggested they wanted it to go ahead, top drivers—including three world champions—announced that they would not go to the country to compete. As if by magic, Formula 1 founds its ethics—if only in the final sentence of another mealy-mouthed statement, plainly workshopped to allow the event to go ahead anyway if the invasion is old news by September.

Russian premier Vladimir Putin driving a Formula 1 car after a "deal" was struck to bring the race calendar to Russia. Screengrab from video posted by RT.

https://boingboing.net/2022/02/25/formula-1-didnt-want-to-cancel-the-russian-grand-prix-but-then-the-drivers-canceled-it-for-them.html

[maxsolomon]

1. Not surprising that F1 were amoral and craven until they were forced.

They have no problem with Authoritarians & Monarchs as long as the check doesn't bounce.

Be sure to catch the upcoming races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Singapore & Abu Dhabi!