25 January 2023 , 16:26
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Ralf Schumacher has issued a public response after another former Formula 1 racer claimed the absence of Russian competitors means sporting titles are "not valid".
Since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, most major sporting organisations have either forced Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag or banned them completely. The FIA, motorsport's governing body, went for the former.
Still, there were no Russian racers in F1 last season. Nikita Mazepin was axed by his Haas team in the wake of the invasion – even though he would have been allowed to compete in the championship, Motorsport UK's ban meant an appearance at the British Grand Prix was out of the question.
In the eyes of former Renault and Caterham driver Vitaly Petrov, the exclusion of Russian athletes means that titles are not valid. While his point was about the world of sport in general, the 38-year-old was including Max Verstappen's 2022 title win by extension.
"Without Russia, I don't consider a single champion or Olympic title to be valid," he told Russian media. "We have to stop being afraid of our people and bring Russia back into world sport.
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"For me, it's not acceptable. I don't understand at all this absurdity of imposing certain opinions on people. We can use the current situation as an impetus for the development of motorsport, training young people to guide them further into the future."
Petrov's claim appeared not to go down too well with Schumacher, who responded to an except of the Russian's quotes on social media with a statement of his own. "Better tell your President that! He can change it," wrote the German.
Russo-Israeli driver Robert Shwartzman is not expected to race in F1 this year but is a reserve for Ferrari, and will be taking part in another championship in the meantime. Mazepin will be nowhere near F1, but did recently tease a return to international racing action.
Petrov added in his interview: "I understand it's difficult, but no-one should give up. I myself have wanted to race in Formula 1 all my life, so I understand young drivers very well. But they have to be patient, practice and not stop believing, so when the opportunity to come back comes, we'll all be ready."