Formula 1 has announced that they have terminated its contract with the Russian broadcaster, MatchTV with immediate effect following Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
MatchTV signed its most recent contract in 2020, which was supposed to run through until the end of the 2023 season.
Along with this, F1 TV will also be unavailable in Russia. A move to prevent fans from subscribing to Formula 1’s in-house streaming and removing all legal means for them to watch the Grand Prix this season.
Last week, Formula 1 had announced that it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix, while the Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin also lost his seat with Haas ahead of the new season.
Moreover, the Premier League also announced that it would suspend its broadcast deals in Russia, preventing football fans from watching games amid a slew of sporting sanctions around the world.
The Russian Grand Prix promoter, Rosgonki, initially stated that the race could still take place this year. However, due to the contract’s termination, the race will no longer be held in Igora Park on the outskirts of St Petersburg as planned.
Following an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, Formula 1 announced that there won’t be any events held in Russia or Belarus, but drivers from those countries could continue to race under a neutral flag.