The FIA has lifted the ban imposed on Russian and Belarusian competitors following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Motorsport was one of many sports affected by the ban, with Haas sponsored by potash giant Uralkali, the son of the company's owner Dmitry Mazepin, driving for the American outfit.

There followed a legal battle as Uralkali sought to reclaim $9m in sponsorship money previously handed to the team. At Zandvoort in 2024, Haas was in danger of having its cars seized by bailiffs and being banned from leaving the country, but the American team subsequently paid up.

Sport was quick to react to the invasion, in which Russia was assisted by Belarus, and the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi was another early cancellation.

Now, a month after the International Olympic Committee lifted its ban on Russian athletes, the FIA has followed suit.

"After consultation, the WMSC decided that the FIA emergency measures shall be revised to lift the restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, individual competitors and officials, as well as those relating to the display of their national symbols, colours, flags and anthems," said the sport's governing body in a statement.

"Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, individual competitors and officials are allowed to participate in international/zone competitions without any restrictions. The requirement of signing a commitment to neutrality no longer applies."

Though Russian and Belarusian athletes can now display their national flag and have their national anthem played, neither country may host "international/zone competitions" until further notice.

"The continues to carefully monitor the events in Ukraine and reserves the right to take any further actions or implement further measures in the future, including any necessary actions required to comply with its obligations under any applicable sanctions regime and/or any contracts to which the FIA is a party."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Tyrbiter, 58 minutes ago

"Never mind the quality, feel the width!"

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2. Posted by JamesD, 2 hours ago

"Absolutely disgusting. Seems there are no depths that the FIA won't sink to / get into bed with etc. etc.

I'm shocked but somehow not surprised. The swamp that is the FIA has been upgraded / downgraded - pick your word that fits - to a cesspit !!"

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3. Posted by Team Hack, 2 hours ago

"Thanks FIA brilliant idea, by the way any idea when the killing of innocent people will stop?

It’s a bad look for DTS."

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4. Posted by KKK, 6 hours ago

"I have only one word for the FIA :

SHAMEFUL"

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FIA lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian competitors

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