Four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel has declared that he will not race at the Russian Grand Prix in September, should it go ahead.

On the instructions of Vladimir Putin, Russian forces started to carry out missile attacks overnight on the Ukraine after months of rising tension.

As well as the question mark hovering over the Russian Grand Prix this year, UEFA look set to change the venue for hosting the Champions League Final in late May. It was due to take place in St. Petersburg, Russia.

World leaders have condemned the actions of Russia as sanctions are to be imposed against Putin.

Speaking at today’s press conference in Barcelona, Vettel was shocked to see what’s occurring and has already made his mind up not to race in Sochi this year.

“In my personal opinion, obviously I woke up again after this morning’s news, shocked,” Vettel said.

“I think it’s horrible to see what is happening. Obviously if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia.

“For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in that country. I’m sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership.

“I’m sure it’s something we will talk about, but as I said as GPDA, we haven’t come together yet.”

“But personally I’m so shocked and sad to see what’s going on. We will see going forward but I think my decision is already made.”

World Champion Max Verstappen believes Formula One shouldn’t be racing in a country that is at war, even if the decision is out of his hands.

“I think when a country is at war it’s not correct to race there, that’s for sure.

“But it’s not only what I think, the whole paddock is going to decide what we’re going to do next.”

Fernando Alonso says the decision very much rests with the sport as the drivers don’t have the power to decide whether to hold the race or not.

“I think it’s going to be Formula 1’s decision eventually.

“I don’t think that we drivers we have our opinion and I’m sure it is the same one as everyone. We don’t have the power to decide.

“Things like that we can make our own decision for sure but eventually I think that Formula 1 will do the best.”

Charles Leclerc was more careful with his words, as he said he doesn’t have too much information about it, but did say that the GPDA “will have to speak about it.”

“But to not go too much into details because to be honest I don’t have all the information about what’s happening.

“It’s very sad to see that, especially in 2022. Then we’ll take a decision, I think Formula 1 will probably take a decision and have more info than we do. I can’t express myself any more than that, I honestly don’t have all the information about it.”