F1® confirm Russian GP will not be replaced for 2022 season
Thursday, 19 May 2022
The season will remain at 22 races.
Formula 1® has confirmed there will be just 22 grands prix in the 2022 season after cancelling the Russian Grand Prix earlier this year.
F1® bosses tore up their contract with organisers of the Russian race in March.
Promoters Rosgonki had a deal that was due to run until 2025, with St Petersburg due to replace Sochi as host of the race next year.
However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine led F1® chiefs to declare the 2022 race in Sochi had been cancelled, and it has now been confirmed there will be no replacement, meaning just 22 races will take place instead of the previous 23.
A statement on the F1® website on Wednesday read: "The 2022 Formula 1 calendar will now run to 22 races rather than the originally planned 23, following the decision not to replace the Russian Grand Prix.
"It was announced on February 25 that, following meetings between Formula 1, the FIA and the teams, the championship would not race at the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, which was set to be held on September 23-25.
"But it's now been revealed that there will be no additional Grand Prix added to the calendar to fill the gap – meaning the 2022 calendar will run to 22 races."
After five races of the 2022 season, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc leads the way in the drivers' standings on 104 points, with defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull in second on 85.
The Spanish Grand Prix takes place on Sunday in Barcelona.
