Australia's Formula One ace Daniel Ricciardo is being urged by the federal government to boycott the Russian grand prix and follow the lead of two Australian aerial skiers.
Aerial skiers Danielle Scott and Laura Peel are leaving Russia on Friday following the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The winter Olympians were due to compete at a World Cup event at Yaroslav this weekend.
But Scott says the pair have been told by the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia to leave Russia.
"In the uniquely unifying power of sport, I wished so badly for this situation to be different," Scott posted on Twitter.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged other Australian athletes and sporting bodies to follow suit.
Morrison's stance places pressure on Ricciardo to boycott the Russian grand prix in Sochi in late September.
The Australian driver has yet to make a public comment but his rival Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion, has already said he won't compete in Russia.
Morrison said Russia should be stripped of hosting the F1 grand prix, scheduled for Sochi in late September.
"The F1 should not be held in Russia, international tournaments should not be held there," Morrison told reporters in Adelaide.
"I commend those Australians that are saying they won't participate in anything that is occurring in Russia this year ... this is how you impose a cost on Russia that is invading its neighbour.
"We should be taking every step we can to ensure Russia pays a price in the international community for these violent and aggressive acts of invasion against Ukraine."
Other sporting events in Russia this year with potential Australian entrants include the FINA Diving World Series in Kazan from April 8-10 and the world junior swimming championships, also in Kazan, from August 23-28.
