Russian F1 Grand Prix cancelled and may switch to Turkey

Formula One on Friday said it will not race in Russia this season, saying it was "impossible" to do so after the country launched an invasion on neighbouring Ukraine.

The race was scheduled for 25 September at Sochi's Olympic park.

Turkey has been suggested as a potential replacement having been used twice in the last two years, stepping in for races cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel had told a news conference that he would not take part in the Russian Grand Prix if it went ahead.

World champion Max Verstappen also said racing in a country at war was "not correct," Reuters reported.

US-owned Haas ran their car in Barcelona testing on Friday in an all-white livery, having taken off all branding representing title sponsor and Russian potash producer Uralkali.

Team principal Guenther Steiner also acknowledged that the outfit's Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, whose father owns Uralkali, faces an uncertain future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has attended the race in the past, even handing out the trophies on the podium.