Episode 161 - F1 2026 Netherlands Grand Prix

And our first bit of news is the FAA has revised its emergency measures to lift restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers and no longer binds them to a commitment of neutrality.

walking back on the measures placed on them following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the FAA introduced a series of sanctions against Russian and Belarusian organizations and drivers.

No international events or competitions were permitted to take place in their nation, and their national teams were also excluded.

All drivers, competitors and officials were also required to sign a commitment to neutrality.

The drivers were permitted to run under a neutral banner or under the flag of another nation, so long as they were eligible to receive a license from an unrestricted ASN.

Following a World Motorsport Council meeting earlier in August, Russian and Belarusian drivers can now once more race under their flag and national symbols, such as team colours or flags are once again permitted.

The FIA circular are dated on 13 August dates and I quote, For the avoidance of doubt, the participation of Russian and Belarusian drivers, competitors and officials in a given country remain subject to compliance with any applicable regulations.

transitional national and local laws the FIA continues to carefully monitor the events in Ukraine and reserves the rights to take any further actions or implement further measures in the future including any necessary actions required to comply with its obligations under any application applicable sanctions regime and or any contracts to which the FIA is a party honestly i just think it's a sense of a lot of because if you really think about it like yeah sure they banned a bunch of you know russian and belarusian drivers from racing under their flags uh because of the you know ukraine conflict but then again you look what's happening with you know the orange man and i don't know if i can even even mention the other country and what they're doing in Iran sorry I said it in the American way in Iran you look at what's happening there and you think you know are their athletes also gonna have to not race under their flags and also we are still racing in some of these countries like nations I don't know it just feels a little too what is even the word man my memory is going what is the word it just feels just hypocritical in fact yeah it is very hypocritical to be honest with you and uh I don't know.

You guys just let us know what you think about this.

But at the end of the day, I just think it's not really the athletes' fault for what the countries are doing.

And if they want to race under their country's flags, they should be able to do so.

Let's not punish, you know, regular athletes for other political leaders, like weird, insightful ideas and reasons for war and stuff.

But anyway, folks, that is that.