Formula 1 remains distant from mending its severed ties with Russia, as articulated by the former organizer of the now-defunct Sochi race.
Formula 1 remains distant from mending its severed ties with Russia, as articulated by the former organizer of the now-defunct Sochi race.
In an abrupt move at the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2022, the sport decisively cut off all associations with the nation, including driver Nikita Mazepin, his sponsor Uralkali, and the Russian Grand Prix.
Alexey Titov, who once managed the Sochi race under Rosgonki and now oversees the world-class Igora Drive circuit, highlighted the extent of the rupture in an interview with the Russian outlet Championat. He pointed out that the division is so deep that Russian fans are blocked from accessing the official F1 website.
“Liberty (Media) is a leftist organisation,” stated Titov, “so it operates according to the American leftist politics that pervade half the United States.”
He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of any appeals to restore access, given the strained relations: “Of course, I will send an appeal, but given our common tense relationship, I doubt that there will be any result.”
Titov also disclosed that Formula 1 has refused to refund the advance payment for the 2022 Russian GP, which was cancelled.
“Nothing has changed,” he disclosed. “Naturally, we are fighting, taking certain actions, working with lawyers. But so far it’s like Andrei Leonidovich Kostin said – ‘they screwed it up!'”
He further explained that F1 expressed a willingness to return the fee, but sanctions have complicated financial transfers, leading to delays. “Their (F1’s) position is that they would be happy to return it, but we are all under sanctions, transfers are closed, so you have to wait.”
Titov insists that when the race fee is finally returned, it should include accrued interest. “Of course,” he remarked, “How else would you do it? This money could be working for our benefit.”
As the deadlock persists, Titov sees no value in initiating new talks with Formula 1 or engaging with Liberty Media’s newly acquired MotoGP.
“At a commercial level, I don’t see the point in such dialogues now,” he noted. “With Formula 1, we are where we were before – they left, slamming the door, keeping the money.”
Given Liberty Media’s recent acquisition of Dorna, Titov doubts any shift towards a pro-Russian stance in MotoGP and World Superbike discussions.
He suggests that for any thawing of relations, the involvement of international sports governing bodies is crucial. “Any warming of relations should be supported by the federations,” Titov stated. “No matter how much two commercial organisations would like to agree to stage a race in Russia, any official championship is under the control of the FIA or FIM.”
“Until a solution is found at this sports-political level, all commercial agreements are meaningless, so we need to talk at a higher level.”
Titov concluded with a personal reflection: “But in general, they left on their own. Well, let them come back to us themselves. This is my personal opinion, but it’s how I see it.”
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