No F1 boycott to punish Russia - Lauda

Niki Lauda has dismissed suggestions formula one should boycott October’s inaugural Russian grand prix.

Amid the escalating crisis in the Crimean peninsula, it has been suggested that part of the sanctions against Russia’s behaviour should be to scrap the new Vladimir Putin-sponsored F1 race in Sochi.

Even after the Ukrainian situation worsened, president Putin met with Bernie Ecclestone in Sochi and said the F1 race would be "a bright, beautiful addition" hot on the heels of a successful winter olympics.

When asked if Russia’s sanctions should include a boycott of its grand prix, Mercedes’ F1 chairman Lauda answered: "That is completely pointless.

"All those responsible have decided that we are racing there," he told German television RTL, "so in this case we have an obligation, and that extends to Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA."