Formula One scrapped the Russian Grand Prix indefinitely, part of a growing backlash in sports to the Ukraine invasion

• Formula One is distancing itself from Russia.
• The Russian Grand Prix has been indefinitely cancelled after F1 cut ties with its sponsor Rosgonki.

Formula One on Thursday confirmed the indefinite cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix after cutting ties with the race's promoter, Rosgonki.

F1 announced in late February that this season's race in Sochi, scheduled for September, would be cancelled as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Rosgonki in response insisted that the race would go ahead. But that claim was contradicted by F1 terminating its relationship with Rosgonki, which also owns the Sochi Autodrom.

"Formula 1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future," F1 said in a statement Thursday, according to multiple sources including BBC Sport and the Associated Press reporter Jenna Fryer.

It means the Russian Grand Prix will no longer shift from Sochi to St. Petersburg as planned in 2023.

F1 was due to race at the Igora Drive circuit from next year, with the contract for the race running until 2025.

One reporter Thursday also suggested that F1 could lose its only Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin.

Sergio Rodríguez of Formula Rapida said that Mazepin's sponsor, Haas, decided to replace the 23-year-old with reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi.

"Haas have decided: Mazepin is OUT," tweeted Rodríguez. "Fittipaldi will replace him; official statement very soon as the brazillian will be behind the wheel in Barhain pre-season testing!"

Haas did not immediately reply to Insider's request for comment.

Mazepin had earlier been barred from competing at the British Grand Prix.

The FIA, F1's governing body, said Tuesday it would allow Russian and Belarusian drivers to race under a neutral flag for the 2022 season.

On Wednesday, however, Motorsport UK announced it was overriding the decision and would stop Mazepin from driving at Silverstone.

"We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded," Motorsport UK said.

"This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d'Ukraine (FAU)."

Should Mazepin be replaced, it could have financial consequences for Haas due to the fact it is backed by his father, the billionaire and Russian-Belarusian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin.

Dmitry's fertilizer company, Uralkali, is Haas' principal sponsor.

Haas removed Ukrali's logos from its car on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, after which team principal Guenther Steiner admitted the team could lose Ukrali's sponsorship.

"For sure there is the risk but I can't go into details because it's a legal thing that I cannot make public obviously," he told Sky Italia.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted backlash from across the sporting world.

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, announced last week that Russia had been stripped of the Champions League final, which was set to take place in St. Petersburg on May 28.

The game will instead take place at the Stade de France in Paris.

Manchester United terminated its sponsorship deal with Russian airline Aeroflot, while the the International Paralympic Committee also barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games.