Russia: F1 counterclaims $104m for Grands Prix that were never held

A contract that ran until 2025

This tug-of-war goes back to March 2022. Days after Russia invaded Ukraine, F1 cancelled the Sochi race and then terminated its agreement with the promoter. Yet the contract, extended in 2017, was due to run until the end of the 2025 season.

The termination also killed off a plan announced in 2021: moving the race to the Igora Drive circuit near Saint Petersburg from 2023. Sochi had hosted the Grand Prix since 2014.

Rosgonki wants its money back

The dispute went to court in August 2025. Rosgonki then sued Formula 1 at the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, after the championship refused to refund money already paid to stage the 2022 race.

The Russian promoter is seeking around £50 million plus interest, according to TASS and F1-Fansite, a figure Nextgen-Auto puts at close to €60 million. Part of that sum covers the promotion fee paid in advance for the 2022 race, put at $24 million by F1-Fansite, or about €20 million according to Nextgen-Auto. When the claim was filed, TASS also reported that Rosgonki accused F1 of politicising the sport.

F1 turns the tables

The championship has now responded. According to legal news outlet Law360, cited by Nextgen-Auto and F1-Fansite, Formula 1 has filed a $104 million counterclaim for contractual fees. Russian business daily Vedomosti reports that the sum relates to the 2022 and 2023 races, neither of which took place.

In other words, F1 is no longer simply refusing a refund: it argues the promoter still owes the fees for two races the contract should have covered. The Russian side has hit back hard. Again according to Law360, Rosgonki calls the demand unconscionable and condemns the vast sums claimed for events that were never held.

Sanctions at the heart of the dispute

F1's other argument concerns international sanctions. The championship says they prevent it from refunding Rosgonki, because the promoter may still be linked to VTB, a Russian bank under sanctions.

Rosgonki disputes this and insists VTB no longer controls its structure. For the promoter, F1 therefore has no valid reason to keep the money. Much of the case could turn on this point, which makes it about more than just the terms of a contract.

No ruling has been made yet and both sides are holding firm. One thing is clear: the Russian Grand Prix has been off the calendar since 2022, but it is still costing Formula 1 time and money, this time in a London courtroom.