Next year's inaugural Russian Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi has been thrown into doubt over a dispute between the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF) and the race's promoters.
The RAF announced today that as a result of the row they had missed the deadline to submit their application to stage the 2014 race with F1's ruling body the FIA.
The Sochi GP's only chance now of making next year's calendar is for the RAF to persuade the FIA there was a 'force majeure' reason for missing the cut off point.
The RAF issued a statement explaining: "The application to the FIA for submitting the Russian Grand Prix to the 2014 Formula One calendar was not sent in proper time as JSC Omega (the promoter) didn't fulfil the necessary conditions.
"They didn't sign a contract with the Russian Grand Prix organiser, didn't sign a deal for an application submission and also didn't pay a fee to the FIA for including an event on the FIA F1 calendar.
"RAF informs that it is ready to include the Russian Grand Prix onto the FIA calendar under force-majeure conditions, permissible by the FIA, as soon as the promoter fulfils all the necessary formalities."
Last month Sochi promoters announced October 19, 2014, as the proposed date for their first race to be staged at the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
