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.

[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.

[Chrisgr31]

glazbagun said:

I don't see how they can really stop it for supporting a side in a conflict. The Israeli's have just killed near a thousand Palestinians getting to Hamas, yet are repeatedly backed by the US and have been for years. The same US who invaded Iraq and killed tens/hundreds of thousands and still has Guantanimo Bay open as I type. Should the FIA "Punish" America with the removal of its GP, too?

When a government is mowing down its own population in the street, that's pretty straightforward. But I don't see how the FIA can get poltical about the sides a government chooses.

Whether correct or not I think it is different when considering a new race location versus an existing one. I think the circumstances of each case have to be considered on their merit. The USA race for example dont appear to have the active support of the President of the United States, however the Russian race would appear to have the active support of Putin etc.

You dont see the US, UK, and many other locations using the race to promote their politicans in the same way as no doubt Putin will. I know that they have been to Bahrain but that doesnt mean that it is right.