G-Drive Racing refuses the conditions imposed by the FIA
After indicating earlier in the week that, contrary to the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), drivers under Russian or Belarusian license would not be automatically prevented from participating in international events organized under its aegis, the FIA published this Friday documents specifying the conditions of their participation. Strict respect for neutrality, in particular preventing the display of Russian colors or any reference to the state, as well as any support for the invasion of Ukraine, are among the conditions attached to the signing of a document of commitment.
If Nikita Mazepin had indicated shortly after the announcement of his ousting by Haas that he was ready to comply in order to continue racing in F1, his compatriot Roman Rusinov, at the head of G-Drive Racing, on the other hand indicated clearly in a message on Instagram this Saturday evening that he would not put his signature on the FIA document, automatically excluding himself from participating in the events in which he was engaged.
« Today, I, the driver of the Russian team G-Drive Racing, refused to accept the discriminatory conditions of the FIA », he wrote. « Every athlete’s goal is to hear their country’s anthem on the podium. In 10 years of international experience, our team has done this many times. We raised the Russian flag, we heard and sang the Russian national anthem. For the sake of my fans, my teammates and my sporting honor, I will not put my signature on this document. Better not to drive at all. »
« The team [G-Drive Racing] has always been international: pilots, mechanics and engineers come from all over the world. And if we were to ask everyone to give up their flag, their experience and their name, there would never be such sporting fraternity and such victories. It’s unfortunate that these guys also can’t compete for [G-Drive Racing]. »
« Today, we are already studying different projects to develop motorsport in our country. I sincerely hope that we can return to international racing, once sportsmanship and equal opportunities for all competitors are there. income. »
For the moment, no official statement from G-Drive has yet arrived, but the team being led by Rusinov and in front of his name to a product of an oil subsidiary of the Russian gas giant Gazprom, the question of his immediate future and his involvement in the WEC (LMP2) and ELMS championships seems rather clear.
It remains to be seen whether, if necessary, the structures responsible for the commitment of the G-Drive program (Algarve Pro Racing and Graff Racing) could maintain their participation, possibly via alternative sponsorship. In addition to Rusinov, James Allen, Daniil Kvyat and René Binder have so far been expected by G-Drive in a week for the World Endurance Championship Prologue at Sebring.
Expected this week, the publication by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) of the entry list for the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans has been postponed by a few for « administrative reasons ». G-Drive there was requested a second invitation for its LMP2 prototype present in the ELMS.
