Jump directly to the content

Go to <edition> homepage

There were some slightly odd scenes to start the Russian Grand Prix, with a ballerina dancing on a piano as a confused set of Formula 1 drivers, and fans at home, watched on.

Pre-race ceremonies usually see drivers assemble at the front of the grid for national anthems, which has recently been dominated by who will take a knee, and who won’t.

A ballerina performed in place of the Russian national anthem, leaving many confused
5
A ballerina performed in place of the Russian national anthem, leaving many confusedCredit: Getty
Drivers were left bemused by their anthem replacement
5
Drivers were left bemused by their anthem replacementCredit: Getty

The race was won by Lewis Hamilton in stunning circumstances as rain and the wrong tyre choice stole a maiden victory from Lando Norris, but confusion still remained from the race's strange opening.

The music played out in Russia was not the country’s national anthem, due to their global sporting ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

After widespread doping violations at the 2014 Russian Winter Olympics were uncovered, WADA announced a four-year ban on athletes representing the country at world championship events, including Formula 1.

Athletes have been banned from representing Russia at major sporting events
5
Athletes have been banned from representing Russia at major sporting eventsCredit: AFP or licensors

The ban was reduced to two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2020, but its effects have been noted throughout the current F1 season.

The ban means Russian athletes cannot use the country’s flag, the Russian national anthem cannot be played, and competitors are restricted from using any kind of national symbols or even mentioning their nationality.

Today’s pre-race scene was one of the more bizarre results of the ban, with a ballerina dancing on top of a grand piano that had been wheeled out onto the track, to the tune of Tchaikovsky.

The scenes left viewers at home utterly confused, probably as well as the drives, but there have been incidents noted throughout the 2021 championship.

Backmarker Nikita Mazepin is the only Russian driver on the current grid, and caused some confusion early on in testing, with a white space next to his name where a driver’s flag would normally be.

Russian driver Mazepin was the only person on the grid not confused by the anthem replacement
5
Russian driver Mazepin was the only person on the grid not confused by the anthem replacementCredit: Getty

His new team Haas later caused even more controversy by painting their car in the colours of the Russian flag.

Mazepin’s father, Dmitry, has helped keep the American team out of financial trouble, by backing them with his fertilizer company, Uralkali.

That resulted in the white, blue and red striped paint job, which was investigated by WADA, but later cleared.

Haas boss Guenther Steiner claimed the American team can paint the car whatever colour they want
5
Haas boss Guenther Steiner claimed the American team can paint the car whatever colour they wantCredit: Getty

Unfortunately for the Mazepins though, their sponsorship hasn’t gotten too much exposure, with the team comfortably the slowest on the grid.

However, should some chaos unfold and Mazepin somehow find himself in the top three of a race, the sport could see one of its most awkward podiums, with neither a flag nor national anthem on show.

Download talkSPORT Edge NOW!

It's the free football app that keeps you one step ahead of your mates with short, sharp and shareable content.

Whether it's goals as they go in or the latest from your club, stay up to date with everything going on in football with breaking news, live scores and in-app betting.

.

Topics
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU
cricket exchange