The FIA has communicated that it has lifted its restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, competitors and officials, allowing them to participate in international and zone competitions and once again compete under their national colours and flags.
The decision was taken by the FIA World Motor Sport Council earlier this month on August 3 and was formally communicated to FIA members, licence-holders, competitors, officials, organisers and other stakeholders in a circular issued yesterday.
The FIA’s revised measures come after consultation and represent a significant reversal of the emergency measures previously introduced following the outbreeak of war in Ukraine.
“Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, individual competitors and officials are allowed to participate in international/zone competitions without any restrictions,” the FIA circular states. “The requirement of signing a commitment to neutrality no longer applies.”
The FIA has also removed the restrictions governing the use of national symbols at international and zone competitions.
“The display of Russian and Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment and car), and the playing of their anthems are permitted at international/zone competitions,” the FIA stated.
The decision has immediate and binding effect from August 3, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice.
However, the FIA has retained one of the key elements of its measures.
“No international/zone competition [is] to take place on the territory of Russia and Belarus, until further notice,” the circular states.
The FIA also stresses that the participation of Russian and Belarusian drivers, competitors and officials in any particular country remains subject to compliance with applicable transnational, national and local laws.
The governing body said it will continue to monitor the ongoing events in Ukraine and “reserves the right to take any further actions or implement further measures in the future”, including actions required to comply with applicable sanctions regimes or contracts to which the FIA is party.”
No information has been shared publicly on the reasons for the reveral of the policy.
