A decades-old tradition in Formula 1 is no more.
Throughout the sport's history, race promoters have collaborated with their nations' respective governments to organize spectacular military aircraft flyovers while the pre-event grid proceedings are taking place.
However, Formula 1 has reportedly now told the 23 race promoters ahead of the 2022 season that to "support F1's sustainability objectives," military flyovers will no longer be permitted.
"From this season, the Grand Prix organizers will no longer be able to use military aircraft for air displays before the start of the races," reported Italy media outlet Corriere della Sera.
The outlet reports suspicions that this is a political decision.
Do you think?
Indeed, with 2022 race hosts including the United States, Russia, France, Britain, Hungary, Japan and many others, it is believed F1 wants to limit the ability for those hosts to use the grid flyovers to flex their military muscle.
It is believed that commercial aircraft powered by sustainable fuel will still be allowed to do flyovers and air displays, as will aerobatic planes like the Red Bull-branded ones above the Austrian GP.