In an interview with ESPN F1, Formula One Commercial Rights Holder Bernie Ecclestone has no concerns about the Russian Grand Prix going ahead in October despite the recent MH17 disaster.
It has been announced over the course of the past few days that Ukraine has publically accused pro-Russian separatists of shooting down the Malaysian Airlines plane on July 17, killing all 298 people on board. The links between the rebel group and Vladimir Putin’s government have come under heavy scrutiny and condemnation since the tragedy, with UK Prime Minister David Cameron among the international leaders calling for sanctions against Russia.
Formula One controversially went to Bahrain in 2012 amidst concerns about the nation’s human rights record, with Ecclestone always insisting to the media when questioned that motor sport should not be affected by politics.
In light of the recent MH17 disaster Ecclestone has reiterated that belief. Ecclestone confirmed the following in his interview with ESPN F1:-
‘I don’t see any problems with that. Were they [Russia] in the World Cup or not? You would have thought people would have tried to stop it, wouldn’t you? Like I’ve said, we don’t get involved in politics. We have a contract with them, which we know they will respect. And we will do the same.’
At the end of the day as Ecclestone has stated in his interview, Russia has signed a deal to host the Grand Prix at great expense to themselves and will have to legally abide to the contract. Even though many pundits and fans are extremely uneasy
regarding the current political situation regarding Russia, all we can do trust that Ecclestone and the FIA monitor the situation and allow the teams and drivers to race in the Grand Prix as agreed but not emplacing them in any immediate danger.
Sochi will be particularly sensitive due to the close associations the city and Winter Olympic venue has with Putin. Further on in his interview, when asked if Putin’s close involvement with the Sochi site would draw unwanted attention to F1, Ecclestone added the following:-
‘Not as far as I’m concerned, personally. We shouldn’t speculate as to what could happen. We will honour our contract. Mr Putin personally has been very supportive and very helpful, and we will do the same.’
As I have already stated, many of us will be wondering if the current political situation that Russia are involved with will affect the running or the atmosphere of hosting the Grand Prix in Sochi and rightly so. But from what Ecclestone has stated to the media, it would seem that he is not concerned and fully intends to honour the contract and agreement with Russia at present.
There has been much speculation over the past few months that the relationship that Ecclestone has with the Russian Prime Minister is one of concern to many connected within Formula One. But all we can safely assume is that Ecclestone feels that Russia is well more than capable of hosting the race regardless of their situation and has abided to the terms and regulations of the agreement that they reached with the support of both parties.
In conclusion, it is understandable why many pundits, fans and political figures such as David Cameron feel that the Grand Prix in Russia shouldn’t take place in Russia
with everything that is going on with them at the moment. But as Ecclestone has stated Russia have a contract to host the Grand Prix starting this season and it could prove very costly for them if they were to not host the race this year.
If Ecclestone feels that it is safe enough for Formula One for Russia to host the Grand Prix, then all we can do is respect the decision and hope that all the necessary checks have been made to ensure that all threats of immediate danger will not occur.
But all you can say is that if Ecclestone, the FIA and the Russian government feel that all the terms and conditions in their agreement to host the Grand Prix have been met and are of the highest standard, then the Grand Prix will take place; even if we do agree with it taking or even if we don’t.
