Ukraine Files Complaint with FIA Ethics Committee After Russia Ban Lifted

The Ukrainian Automobile Federation (FAU) has lodged an official complaint with the Ethics Committee of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) following the lifting of sanctions against Russian competitors in international motorsport.

On Thursday, the FAU called for an urgent investigation into the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF), alleging that it is violating FIA regulations concerning national sporting authorities. The Ukrainian federation claims that the RAF has established and operates offices in Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions – territories recognized as Ukrainian by the United Nations.

In its complaint, the FAU cites a breach of “Article 3.3 of the FIA Statutes and Article 1.4.1 of the International Sporting Code, both of which state that only one national sporting authority can be recognized for each country, with its powers extending over the entire national territory of that country.” The FAU thus argues that by operating on Ukrainian territory, the Russian federation is in violation of FIA rules.

The complaint also highlights that RAF leaders, including President Boris Rotenberg, are subject to international sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union due to the aggression against Ukraine. The FAU insists on an immediate investigation and the closure of RAF offices.

Earlier this month, the FIA reversed its restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers, who can now compete under their national flags, having previously been banned following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

These changes do not apply to the hosting of international events in Russia or Belarus, which remain subject to restrictions. The FIA terminated the contract for the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2022, which was set to be the final race at the Sochi circuit, as “Igora Drive” near St. Petersburg was slated to take over hosting duties from 2023.

During this period, Russian drivers typically switched to another national federation to continue competing: Robert Shwartzman raced under an Israeli flag, while drivers like Daniil Kvyat and Nikita Bedrin hold Italian racing licenses, and Nikolay Gryazin competes in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with a Bulgarian license.