Formula 1. Haas rejects Nikita Mazepin with his Russian sponsor

“Like the rest of the Formula 1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes a speedy and peaceful end to the conflict,” the team wrote in a statement.

“I am very disappointed to learn that my F1 contract has been terminated. Although I understand the difficulties that have been put forward, the decision of the FIA ​​(International Automobile Federation, to allow Russian drivers to race under conditions, editor’s note) and my desire to accept the terms The proposal to continue has been completely ignored. No action has been ignored. Mazepin responded on social networks. “I will have more to say in the next few days.”

The identity of his replacement was not announced immediately but should be announced before the second and final pre-season tests in Bahrain from March 10-12.
Nikita Mazepin, 23, is the son of Russian billionaire and oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, a shareholder of the Uralkali Group specializing in potash production, and his contract was related to the sponsorship of the team.

There is no Russian flag in Formula 1

On the final day of the first tests of the new season in Barcelona on February 25, Haas has already removed the Russian Uralkali colors that he usually wears for his singles seat.
The promoter of the Formula 1 World Championship, Formula 1, announced on Thursday that he will permanently terminate his contract with the promoter of the Russian Grand Prix, whose 2022 edition was scheduled to be the last to be organized in Sochi before moving to Saint-Petersburg.

This announcement comes within the framework of a series of measures taken by various international bodies against Russian sports, after the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
On Monday, the International Olympic Committee recommended banning Russians and Belarusians from participating in sports competitions, in violation of a long-standing tradition of not interfering in political or geopolitical discussions.

For its part, the FIA ​​decided to allow Russian or Belarusian drivers to participate under a neutral flag in the competitions it organizes, such as F1.
However, “no international competitions will be held in Russia and Belarus until further notice” and “the flag/symbol or anthem of Russia/Belarus will not be used in international competitions until further notice,” it said earlier this week.