• Russian GP

Russian GP misses FIA deadline for 2014 calendar

The plan for the track in Sochi © Formula Sochi

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The Russian Grand Prix has missed the deadline to apply for the 2014 Formula One calendar, according to the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF).

An email sent by the FIA to the RAF called on the organisers to "submit your requests [for a calendar slot] for all events as soon as possible, and no later than 31 July 2013, except in the case of force majeure". The circuit has a contract with Formula One to host the race next year, but without FIA approval the event will not go ahead.

The issue appears to centre around a dispute between the RAF and race promoters Omega over who will pay for certain necessary administration costs, one of which is the training of 700-800 marshals and circuit staff that are required to host the event.

"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," a statement from the RAF read.

"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."

The venue for the grand prix is set in the Olympic park for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi and has been under construction some time. It is likely the issue will be resolved considering the large amounts of money invested in the project so far, and also because Russian President Vladimir Putin very publically penned the original contract with Bernie Ecclestone.

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