FIA's World Motor Sport Council removes all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers
The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers in international motorsport, ending the requirement for neutral status. The move follows a similar decision by the World DanceSport Federation.
The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has fully lifted the restrictions previously imposed on Russian and Belarusian drivers competing in international motorsport, according to an FIA circular.
What changes
Under the decision, drivers from the two aggressor states will be able to compete on the international stage without the "neutral" status they had been required to hold. They will now be allowed to use their national flags and colours, and their national anthems may be played at races.
Holding competitions on the territory of Russia or Belarus, however, remains prohibited.
Background
The decision follows an earlier move by the International Olympic Committee's Executive Committee, which temporarily lifted the disqualification of the Russian Olympic Committee and suspended its recommendations limiting the participation of Russian athletes.
Since that IOC decision, several international sports organisations have relaxed their own restrictions on athletes from the aggressor state. The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) recently lifted all restrictions on Russian representatives as well.
The development was reported by Ukrainska Pravda, citing the FIA circular.
