On Thursday morning, Russia's p𒐪resident Vladimir Putin authorised a ‘special military operation’ in the east of Ukraine, ordering forces and firi🔯ng missiles in several cities.

As a result, sanctions have been put on Russia, while other sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League Final - which is set to take ꦦplac🌠e in Saint Petersberg, could be moved to an alternative location.

F1 is set to race in Russia on September 🐲23-25 at the Sochi Autodrom and home hero Mazepin remains confident the race will go ahead.

“From the understanding that we’ve had wit🦂h Formula 1, and race is going ahead and you will surely see me there,” Mazepin said on Wednesday in Barcelon🌺a.

Mazepin was in F1 action for Haas on Wednesday as pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcel🌠ona-Catalunya got underwayౠ.

He will be back in action again on Thursday afterno🌳on in the VF-22.

Despite the unrest involving his home country, Mazepin insisted that🎶 it’s not proving to be a distraction.

“I’m🍨 no🍸t struggling at all, because I’ve always been a big supporter of sports without politics,” he added.

“And today I’m in Barcelona, I cannot tell you the excitement of driving the new car and the excitement of actually being involved in developing this new car and actua𒐪lly from seeing the pictures for a year and then seeing it in physical carbon copy of the pictures is great.

“So I’m just very happy to be in Barcelona and I hope these three days are𓆏 longer because it’s a nice experience.”