Haas drop Mazepin, Russian GP deal terminated
RUSSIAN DRIVER NIKITA MAZEPIN
said he was “very disappointed” at being dropped by Formula One team Haas due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and hinted he might take action over “this unilateral step.”
The 23-year-old had been looking forward to a second season with the American team but Haas announced on Saturday (Mar 5) they had terminated his contract and that of Russian title sponsor Uralkali.
Uralkali, a group specialising in potash, has Mazepin’s father, Dmitry Mazepin, as its non-executive director.
“Haas F1 team has elected to terminate with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita
Mazepin,” the team said on their website.
“As with the rest of the F1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict.”
Mazepin said he had been prepared to abide by the governing body FIA’s ruling that Russian drivers would have to compete under the FIA flag and in a “neutral capacity.”
"I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated," he wrote on Instagram.
“While I understand the difficulties, the ruling from the FIA plus my ongoing willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored and no process was involved in this unilateral step. I will have more to say in the coming days.”
Haas dropped the Uralkali branding from
their cars during the last day of pre-season testing in Barcelona last Friday and team principal Guenther Steiner had said at the time they were “financially ok”.
The Haas decision follows F1’s announce
ment on Mar 3 that they had terminated a contract with the organisers of the Russian Grand Prix.
The Black Sea resort of Sochi has hosted
the race since the first running in 2014 but Saint Petersburg was due to replace it as the venue in 2023.
“F1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future,” F1 said in a statement.