Russian F1 debut under threat

The Russian Grand Prix is the latest race to face the threat of missing out on a place on the 2014 calendar.

Earlier this week promoters of the Indian Grand Prix confirmed they would skip next season in order to fulfil Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s plans for them to take up an early slot in 2015.

Now Russia is facing problems after missing a July 31 deadline to submit its application to the FIA to stage its debut event next year.

The Russian Automobile Federation is understood to be in dispute with promoters JSC Omega – currently still building the venue at the Black Sea resort of Sochi - on a number of issues.

A statement issued by the RAF said: “The application to the FIA for submitting the Russian Grand Prix to the 2014 Formula One calendar was not sent in proper time as JSC Omega didn’t fulfil the necessary conditions.

“That is, it didn’t sign a contract with the Russian Grand Prix organiser, didn’t sign a deal for an application submission and also didn’t pay a fee to the FIA for including an event on the FIA F1 calendar.

“RAF informs it is ready to include the Russian Grand Prix on to the FIA calendar under force-majeure conditions, permissible by the FIA, as soon as the promoter fulfils all the necessary formalities.”

Given the determination of Ecclestone and Russian president Vladimir Putin to stage a race in the latter’s country, the problem is likely to be swiftly resolved.