Sochi Organisers Miss FIA Application Deadline

[OverTake.gg]

Russia has missed the deadline to submit it's application for Sochi to the FIA, throwing the future of the race into doubt.

Despite preparations being in full swing at the Sochi race site, organisers announced that they have planned to be ready for October 2014. There has been an ongoing dispute between organizers and the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF).

July 31st was the deadline to formally submit the official application to hold the grand prix in Sochi to the FIA itself. The RAF refused to lodge the forms by the 31st due to financial disputes with Sochi's sponsors.

The RAF issued this statement: "The application to the FIA for submitting the Russian Grand Prix to the 2014 Formula 1 calendar was not sent in proper time as JSC Omega (Promoter) 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 that 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."

One of the areas of dispute is regarding the commercial, intellectual property and broadcast rights to the Sochi event, as well as the length of the contract between promoters and the RAF.

Also under dispute is the financial situation regarding staff. The RAF started a project to prepare and train marshals and safety staff for the event itself, doing so in partnership with the FIA. The RAF vocally stated that it expected funding for this project to, at least in part, come from the promoters of the race.

Sergey Ivanov, CEO of RAF, said: "The F1 grand prix of Sochi gave a huge boost to develop the system of staff preparation.

"Until the end of 2012, we received grants from the FIA to organise seminars as well as do other work. Now we need to continue that programme and broaden it, which requires additional funding for the RAF."

Whether or not the race will go ahead is unknown. It is very unlike F1 aficionado Bernie Ecclestone to let an entire future grand prix crumble, and allow the preparations so far to go to waste.

Image: The Atlantic

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[Shawdad]

woops!

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

So they haven't even raced a meter and already all parties involved are having disputes with each other?

 

[António da Cunha]

Russia style. Oh, well...

 

[mystaaRS]

So what does this mean for India?

 

[the_sigman]

So what does this mean for India?

Probably nothing. Team principles want 20 races, so 2 must be removed. India and next race there April 2015, and Russia (?)

 

[David Jundt]

So Korea might stay?

Well, if Bernie(if he isn't in jail by then) is serious about Russia, he and the FIA might "overlook" that blunder if the Organisers and the RAF get their issues sorted.

 

[mystaaRS]

So Korea might stay?

I hope not.