Scott McLaughlin opened the IndyCar season with a stunning victory, and that wasn't the only incredible result of the weekend in St. Petersburg. There were multiple comeback winners, one from years away, another from an accident the day before. The Supercross winner didn't win at all but is still the winner. The World Rally Championship was back in Swedish snow for the first time in two years. NASCAR was at Fontana for the first time in two years. Formula One was in Barcelona for the first test that we cannot call a test because of money. However, the biggest Formula One news last week was not from the racetrack, and it relates to the biggest event in current affairs. Here is a rundown of what got me thinking.
Something Important
I was going to write about something meaningless, but it was tone deaf considering current world affairs.
Last week, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been on everyone's mind from every walk of life. The sports world has not been sealed off from the conflict.
Around Europe, soccer stadiums were full of displays of support for Ukraine. There were moving moments of solidarity, most notably in the Premier League at the Everton-Manchester City, where Ukrainians Vitali Mykolenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko play for the respective clubs and shared an emotional pre-game hug before an incredible ovation when the teams walked out for the start of the match at Goodison Park.
In Portugal, Roman Yaremechuk was subbed on for Benfica during the team's 3-0 victory over Vitória de Guimarães. Yaremechuk received the captain's armband and a rousing wave of applause from the supporters, bringing him to tears.
Motorsports responded to the conflict as well, and perhaps more stringent than we have seen on a global conflict in a longtime.
Sebastian Vettel stepped up and said he would not race in the Russian Grand Prix. Current World Drivers' Champion Max Verstappen shared Vettel's sentiment. Colton Herta was one of the first IndyCar drivers to express support for Ukraine.
Formula One suspended the Russian Grand Prix on Thursday due to the invasion. The UEFA Champions League Final has been moved from St. Petersburg, Russia to Paris. Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic are paired with Russia in a FIFA World Cup qualifying bracket, and all three countries have said they will not play Russia. England has come out and said it will not play Russia in international soccer.
We are seeing the world respond to an unjust act of aggression. The responses are still evolving, and it is a delicate situation.
Haas F1 has significant Russian backing, and a Russian driver. Sanctions could hinder this team. While Formula One has suspended the grand prix, it is unclear if the race is completely off the schedule. If Russia withdraws troops from Ukraine, will the race be back on the calendar? There is still much we do not know. After being encouraged over the last few days to decisions made, future choices could leave us disappointed.
Seeing how people of the world have responded has lifted my spirit. It is comforting that peace and the greater good of humanity will standout and speak up. Ukraine is a victim of a war brought upon by a foreign dictator that has no regard for the freedom of others. Millions of people are in great danger and fleeing their homes, seeking refuge in other surrounding nations while missile strikes take place all over the country, including major Ukrainian cities.
The world is a complicated place, and while we are seeing a global rejection of Russia's action, resulting in sanctions from many walks of life, including the sporting world, we must remember the countless other disenfranchised people of the world. While Formula One might be removing the Russian Grand Prix from the calendar, the replacement round could be the Turkish Grand Prix, a country run by an authoritarian regime. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been under immense scrutiny as Saudi Arabia's human rights record clashes with Formula One's "We Race As One" campaign.
How bad is too bad for a sporting body?
No sports organization is committing to a minimum human rights record for host countries and participants. When billions of dollars are out there, these groups, whether it be the FIA, FIFA, UEFA or the International Olympic Committee, will use economics to judge some of its decisions. There are some lines that will not be crossed, but there are plenty that will even if the majority of people know it is the wrong thing to do.
My hope is we try to do better every single day. After seeing the world's response last week, especially the sporting world's response, I hope we take into consideration more than money when choices are made for host events and sponsorship.
Seeing the likes of Vettel stand up and say he would not race, and knowing Lewis Hamilton's civil rights record, I am encouraged the future of motorsports will not ignore the injustices in the world. They will not neglect the less fortunate, and inequality will be taken into consideration over where races are held or who sponsors events.
We must not remain silent when atrocities take place. We must stand with those seeking improved human rights around the globe and not be afraid to stand up to oppressors, no matter what.
Winners From the Weekend
You know about Scott McLaughlin, but did you know...
Matthew Brabham won the Indy Lights race from St. Petersburg in his first Indy Lights start since 2015. Josh Green and Nolan Siegel split the Indy Pro 2000 races. Jace Denmark and Myles Rowe split the U.S. F2000 races.
Kyle Larson won the NASCAR Cup race from Fontana. Cole Custer won the Grand National Series race.
Kalle Rovanperä won Rally Sweden.
Eli Tomac won the Supercross Triple Crown race from Arlington with finishes of third, second and second in the three races. Cooper Webb won the first race and Jason Anderson won the final two races.
Coming Up This Weekend
MotoGP season opener from Qatar.
Supercars opens at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Daytona Bike Week begins with Supercross.
NASCAR will be in Las Vegas.
