Formula One cancels 2022 Russian Grand Prix after Putin's Ukraine invasion

• The Russian Grand Prix has been cancelled by F1 bosses amid the invasion of Ukraine.
• The race was meant to be held in the resort town of Sochi in September.

Formula One announced on Friday that it was canceling this season's Russian Grand Prix in light of the country's invasion of Ukraine this week.

The Russian Grand Prix, which is held in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi and had been on the F1 calendar since 2014, was scheduled to take place on September 25.

Bosses of the world's best-known motorsport said on Friday, however, that the event could not go ahead against the current backdrop.

"It is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances," a statement read, citing a joint decision between F1, motorsport's governing body the FIA, and F1 teams.

"The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together,"

"We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation."

The Russian Grand Prix is the second major sporting event scheduled to be held in Russia this year to be axed Friday.

Earlier, European soccer's governing body, UEFA, confirmed that the Champions League final — which was set to be played in St. Petersburg in May — would now be played in Paris.

UEFA took the decision "following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe," it said in a statement.