Should the Russian GP Go Ahead?

[Chrisgr31]

As it appears the Malayasian aircraft was shot down by rebels supported by Russia should the Russian Grand Prix be cancelled?

Its a project that has been actively supported by Putin so cancelling it will hurt him, however I guess unless teams are banned from attending by European ir American action it won't be cancelled.

[parabolica]

I've said yes; we were in the same position with Bahrain a few years ago and all the F1 fans were up in arms when the race might get cancelled and that was with tanks rolling down the streets. What's happened is a tragedy and if Russia was involved then I hope justice is done; but it shouldnt affect F1. Making sure Putin doesn't turn up at the race would probably be a good idea though.

Unfortunately almost every country a F1 race is held in has a dark past in some respect; no reason why Russian should be singled out. All IMHO of course.

ETA: I forgot the Bahrain race did get cancelled one year...

Edited by parabolica on Saturday 19th July 10:27

[Chrisgr31]

Although the Bahrain race did get cancelled in the end, or one year it did, and it ran the second year.

Arguably Bahrain was slightly different as it was Bahrani protesters that died rather than other nationalities who had no influence as to whether they were there or not.

My inclination is towards the view that it should be cancelled as otherwise Putin will just carry on and believe no one will ever take action against him but at same time not sure I want a race cancelled.

Alternative may of course to be to suggest SKY and BBC should not show it. I also wonder what the team sponsors views would be.

[Crafty_]

Chrisgr31 said:

Alternative may of course to be to suggest SKY and BBC should not show it. I also wonder what the team sponsors views would be.

Breach of contract, surely ?

I think it could come down to money, "Mr Insurer, I'd like to fly these valuable cars, team members and racing drivers to Russia and ensure that its all covered, should the worst happen" Insurer: "no chance sunshine.."

[Jawaman]

How many malaysian companies are involved with F1, e.g. Petronas sponsor Mercedes, would they want to make a stand?

[Eric Mc]

F1 lives in its own bubble. What goes on in the outside world has no bearing on its affairs. That's why it continued to run a South African GP at the height of apartheid.

It only understands one concept - money.

[Mojocvh]

"Making sure Putin doesn't turn up at the race would probably be a good idea though."

OK so how are you going to do just that then?

[longshot]

The race will go ahead because the teams do what they are told and Bernie will say it is going to happen.

The World has very quickly become very reliant on the supply of Russia's natural resources (and I'm not just talking about oil and gas) so, behind closed doors, there is not any great inclination from World leaders do do anything about things like this and Putin knows it.

His speech yesterday said it all for me really. It said, you can't pin it on me.

Besides, what can World do to force Russia to heel?

[37chevy]

I've said no, with the Ukraine thing and gay rights before it, Russia doesn't deserve the race or any benefits that go along with it.....send the race there, like with the Olympics and your basically giving back the ball to the naughty boy that you confiscated it from without teaching them a lesson.....Putin will know he can get away with it and just continue....the world needs to make a stand now. Russia is very fickle.....they rely on the worlds money and putins cronies won't like it if their pockets aren't being lined any more....take away the events and money, they will on get fed up with Putin and bring him down from the inside....he may look like a strong leader but I expect he is basically a puppet being controlled by the wallets of rich men

[Jasandjules]

If Russia is proven to have shot down a civilian plane then no. I'd also extend that to all sporting events around the World, ban Russian competitors for at least a year.

[davepoth]

Russia invaded the Crimea and the Olympics still went ahead. Go figure.

[37chevy]

davepoth said:

Russia invaded the Crimea and the Olympics still went ahead. Go figure.

Well they waited a day after the Olympics to finish before they actually invaded....convenient eh

[Sir Bagalot]

Sometimes things are bigger that a motorcar race.

I can think of 298 reasons why the F1 race in Russia shouldn't go ahead.

[greygoose]

Eric Mc said:

F1 lives in its own bubble. What goes on in the outside world has no bearing on its affairs. That's why it continued to run a South African GP at the height of apartheid.

It only understands one concept - money.

Very true (albeit sad).

[majordad]

If it's not banned then just make the teams lead by Bernie of course fly over Crimea. In Fockers !

[Norfolkit]

Jawaman said:

How many malaysian companies are involved with F1, e.g. Petronas sponsor Mercedes, would they want to make a stand?

Good point, even Ecclestone can't ignore the sponsors, no sponsors, no show Bernie, they should all demand a cancellation, would be nice to tell Ecclestone and Putin to fk off at the same time.

[longshot]

Norfolkit said:

Jawaman said:

How many malaysian companies are involved with F1, e.g. Petronas sponsor Mercedes, would they want to make a stand?

Good point, even Ecclestone can't ignore the sponsors, no sponsors, no show Bernie, they should all demand a cancellation, would be nice to tell Ecclestone and Putin to fk off at the same time.

It would be good if someone with some real clout started the ball rolling and other got onboard but they do seem to be too obedient. Hopefully they will make a stand on this.

[RemarkLima]

Has Russian involvement with the MH17 crash been unequivocally proven then?

Until that point, it is hardly fair to point the finger... Unlike the entire western press.

And did F1 fans really get upset about Bahrain being cancelled? I find that quite unpalatable, and they still shouldn't be racing there as the human rights issues are far from sorted

Edited by RemarkLima on Sunday 20th July 05:55

[RemarkLima]

37chevy said:

....he may look like a strong leader but I expect he is basically a puppet being controlled by the wallets of rich men

See if you can find the documentary called "Putin, Russia and the West" - the guy is an ex-kgb megalomaniac loon... Power interests him far more than wealth.

Still, I'm not sure about Russian involvement with the MH17 crash.

[IforB]

Russia is currently under economic sanction from the West, F1 turning up to help promote Russia and it's political and financial interests (which is the only reason any "new" F1 race appears these days) does seem like a clumsy move.

I imagine there are lots of conversations going on the background at the moment about this and I wouldn't be surprised if it went either way.

I have a feeling that the backlash would be quite large from Politicians across the globe and that a lot of supporters will be turned off by it too.

I'm guessing though that Bernie is probably waiting for some organisation like the EU, UN, NATO or US State dept to make the statement that F1 shouldn't go, so that he can start to weasel out of it without appearing to take sides and so remain neutral, so that when/if tensions around Russia subside, he can say "it wasn't me guv" to Putin.

Personally I don't think they should go, I think F1 is tarnished when it turns up to events and just uses the excuse that it isn't their place to get involved in politics, that's trite nonsense and they know it full well. However, I think they will go, as any sense of decency and morality was replaced by cash a long time ago.