Replacement for Russian GP likely to be additional race in Middle East

It looks less and less likely that Formula 1 will travel to Russia in 2022. The Grand Prix held annually in Sochi looks set to be replaced by a race in the Middle East.

Formula 1 is keeping a close eye on the situation in Russia. On Thursday the country invaded Ukraine and Formula 1 together with the FIA reacted to that immediately. They said that the Russian Grand Prix cannot take place at this moment. The race in Sochi was scheduled for September 25.

De Telegraaf reports that the Grand Prix will probably be replaced by an additional race in the Middle East, so Formula 1 can still get to the 23 planned races in 2022. Currently, three races are already scheduled in that region this year (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi) and starting 2023, Qatar returns to the calendar after a 2021 incursion.

Qatar is thus also one of the possible replacements for the Russian race. The country did not want to host a GP in 2022, because the World Cup will be held there in November and December. However, a race earlier in the season offers a possibility. In addition, a second race in Bahrain is mentioned as an option. In 2020, F1 already ran an additional race there on the Outer Loop layout of the Bahrain International Circuit.