Dakar legend says FIA too entangled in politics

Jun.4 (GMM) International motorsport has become too entangled with the world of politics, according to Dakar legend Vladimir Chagin.

The Russian and multiple Dakar rally winner and his team bowed out of the 2023 edition because of the Ukraine crisis, as Kamaz provides armoured vehicles to Vladimir Putin’s war effort.

But Chagin said the FIA, governing body of the world rally-raid championship as well as Formula 1, actually wants Russia to re-engage with international motorsport.

“We continue to communicate with the FIA and with foreign athletes,” he told Tass news agency.

“We are treated very well, many of them want to meet with us again and compete. And, of course, we also dream of returning to that state of sports, which was a few years ago now.

“But today, the world of sports, unfortunately, depends largely on politics, and not on the athletes themselves, and we all understand this very well,” Chagin added.

Steve Cole

Share
Published by
Steve Cole

Recent Posts

F2 driver says new fans don't understand racing

Jun.9 (GMM) Many new fans of top-level single seater racing do not understand "how motorsport…

9 months ago

Newey attracting talent to Aston Martin – de la Rosa

Jun.9 (GMM) The 'Adrian Newey effect' is already happening at Aston Martin, according to team…

9 months ago

Hamilton will 'maybe not' win eighth title

Jun.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton's hopes of an eighth world championship are slipping away. That's the…

9 months ago

Three F1 stars predict Piastri title in '25

Jun.9 (GMM) Three former Formula 1 drivers agree that Oscar Piastri has become the clear…

9 months ago

Red Bull 'opposed' to Briatore's budget cap idea

Jun.9 (GMM) Flavio Briatore thinks Formula 1 should include driver salaries in the budget cap.…

9 months ago

Vettel not only candidate to replace Marko

Jun.6 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says retired quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel is not the…

9 months ago