In August 2026, the Ukrainian Automobile Federation (FAU) submitted a formal complaint to the FIA Ethics Committee following the recent decision to lift restrictions on Russian competitors in international motorsport. This move by the FIA reversed the previous ban that had prevented Russian and Belarusian drivers from competing under their national flags, although events in Russia and Belarus remain prohibited.
The complaint centers on allegations that the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF) is operating offices within Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia. According to the FAU, this breaches FIA regulations that recognize only one national sporting authority per country with jurisdiction over the entire national territory. The FAU specifically cites violations of Article 3.3 of the FIA Statutes and Article 1.4.1 of the International Sporting Code.
Adding to the concerns, the FAU points out that leaders of the RAF, including its president Boris Rotenberg, are subject to international sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine. The federation has called for an immediate investigation into these matters and demands the closure of the RAF offices operating in the disputed regions.
Earlier in August, the FIA lifted the ban that had required Russian and Belarusian drivers to compete under neutral flags, allowing them to race again under their national identities. However, the FIA maintained restrictions on hosting motorsport events in Russia and Belarus. During the period of the ban, some Russian drivers competed internationally under licenses from other countries, such as Israel and Italy.
This complaint highlights the ongoing complexities faced by international motorsport governing bodies as geopolitical tensions intersect with sporting regulations. While the issue does not directly involve any Formula 1® teams or drivers, it reflects broader challenges in maintaining regulatory consistency and ethical standards across national federations.
Oleksandr Feldman, president of the FAU, has urged the FIA to act swiftly on the complaint to uphold the integrity of the sport’s governance. The situation remains under review by the FIA Ethics Committee, with no public timeline or response announced so far.
The case underscores how international motorsport continues to navigate sensitive political contexts, balancing the sport’s global nature with adherence to established rules and respect for national sovereignty.