To be able to compete in FIA-supervised motorsport competitions, Russian and Belarusian athletes must sign a document in which they confirm not competing under the flag of their country, as well as condemning the war waged by Russia and showing solidarity with Ukraine. Some have done it, for example Nikolai Gryazin, who continues to compete in rally competitions in Europe.
The “Kamaz-master” team has been part of the Dakar rally since the nineties, winning 19 times in the heavy vehicle class. Considering that it does not agree with the requirements of the FIA, it will not go to the start in the upcoming race in Saudi Arabia in January next year.
Kamaz’s actions are logical. The factory is partly owned by the Rostec conglomerate under the auspices of the Russian government, and Kamaz is also engaged in the production of military vehicles used by the occupiers in their bloody crimes against Ukraine. Already two days after the start of the war, the “Kamaz” factory was included in the list of companies subject to sanctions, and the German car manufacturer “Daimler” did not hesitate to stop cooperation with it.
The “Kamaz-master” team has experienced great financial difficulties this year, due to which several racing vehicles, which won victories in the Dakar rally, have even been put up for sale. The Austrian company “Red Bull” has stopped the many years of cooperation, and the Russian oil company “Gazprom” has taken its place, which is now the main sponsor of the team. The unit continues to compete in the Russian Rally Raid Championship.
Also, the MAZ team of the Belarusian factory “MAZ-SPORTavto”, which is also always among the favorites, is not going to start. Sergey Karjakin, who won the quadricycle class in 2017, also refused to sign the FIA document. He will also not participate in the “Dakar” competition.
Resources used:
4rati – 4rati
