Hitech cuts ties with Uralkali

FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 team Hitech Grand Prix has terminated its sponsorship deal with Russian chemical company Uralkali “with immediate effect” amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Silverstone-based squad has carried the logos of Uralkali since 2016. That was the year when it entered its first full season in the Formula 3 European Championship with Nikita Mazepin (who last week was placed on the list of Russians sanctioned by the European Union alongside his father, Uralkali director Dmitry),

George Russell and Ben Barnicoat.

Hitech ran without Uralkali branding during the recent pre-season F2/F3 testing in Bahrain, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued. The team then announced last week that its agreement with Uralkali had been terminated, adding that it was “shocked and saddened” by the war and wished for a “swift and peaceful end” to the conflict.

In a statement, the team said: “Hitech Grand Prix has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the sponsorship agreement of Uralkali. As with the rest of the motorsport community, the team are shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wish for a swift and peaceful end to the ongoing conflict.”

Mazepin spent two seasons in European F3 with Hitech. In 2016 he incurred a one-race ban for punching Callum Ilott in the Hungaroring paddock, but improved to finish 10th in 2017. He returned to Hitech for the 2020 F2 season, taking fifth place.