What to remember from Nikita Mazepin's press briefing

It was through a preliminary statement that he carefully read that Nikita mazepin began his press conference. “What we are discussing today is important in its own way, but it is nothing compared to what is happening overall”, he first declared. Before continuing: “The only reason I am speaking out today is to close this chapter with clarity, and I would like to begin the next one with hope. » He then answered questions from journalists for almost an hour. Here are the main themes covered.

On his ouster from Haas: 

"I was informed last week by a letter from the lawyer of Haas of the immediate termination of my contract as a team driver. I haven't had any direct feedback from the team since my contract was terminated. I learned of my dismissal at the same time as you, the press. I'm 23 and I can tell you I wasn't ready for this. I never received any message to prepare me for this, not even a 'we've made this decision, it will be public in a few minutes, get ready'."

“Before that, the FIA, and more specifically its highest governing body, the World Motor Sport Council, decided that I and other Russian drivers could compete under a neutral status. I gave my unconditional agreement to this decision when it was prepared by the WMSC (World Motor Sport Council). The decision that was taken was therefore not based on a directive from the sport's governing body, nor was it dictated by sanctions taken against me, my father or his company. And of course, I don't think that's fair, but there's something more important here."

“I have a question to ask: is it possible not to express an opinion, but to keep it out of public space? Should an athlete be punished for this? And do we want sport to become another public square for protests and political debates? We all know of cases where one country refuses to compete with another in the Olympics due to their political disagreements. We saw in the 1980s that a generation of athletes lost their dreams and the opportunity to compete at the highest level when countries began boycotting each other. Is this what we want for sport, or is sport a way to bring people together, even in the most difficult times and especially in the most difficult times? 

“I should have received more support from the team. There is no legal reason to terminate my contract. On the one hand, I was relieved to know that the FIA ​​allowed the athletes to race under a neutral status. But on March 5, everything changed, I was fired and I lost my dream that I have been chasing for the last 18 years of my life.”

Nikita Mazepin and Haas, from ancient history. © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

On a possible appeal against Haas 

“We give ourselves all possible options. We will think and decide. But one thing is certain, I don’t want to go where they don’t want me.” 

On the conflict in Ukraine

“As has been my position over the past two weeks, I do not wish to make any public statements on the conflict itself.”

“I have already expressed my point of view in previous days. I believe people have the right to remain neutral. I'm talking about athletes, but also people working in other industries.

On the creation of his foundation 

“I am announcing today the creation of a foundation which will be dedicated to helping athletes who, for political reasons, beyond their control, have lost their ability to compete at the highest level. It will be financed by Uralkali using the money that had been planned for the season of F1. This foundation will allocate resources, both financial and non-financial, to athletes who have spent their lives preparing for the Olympics or Paralympics or other high-level events, only to find that they have been banned from competition and collectively sanctioned solely because of the passport they held.”

“We will work to find jobs to ensure decent income, as many of these athletes were counting on sponsorships after their championship performances, which was not the case. We will also provide legal assistance in cases where athletes wish to argue that it is a sport. We will help them psychologically cope with the feeling of loss and emptiness that comes with exclusion from the sport they love. We all know that an athlete's career is short and that it takes years of intense sacrifice to reach the highest level. When that final reward is taken away, it's devastating and no one thinks about what happens next to these athletes. I'll take care of it. Athletes who were unable to train due to upheavals will also be included in the foundation's work. These will include athletes from all conflict zones and our door is open to everyone. We will start with the Russian Paralympic team who were banned from the Beijing games, after being informed that they could travel to fulfill their life's dream, the name of the foundation will be "We compete as one".

On his near future 

“I have no plans to do another series as things stand. I will devote all my attention and time to the foundation we have created. I will remain competitive just in case of course, but I keep in mind the fact of returning to F1. I'm not turning the page." 

On the support received by other F1 drivers

“I received messages from George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez et Valtteri Bottas notably. They told me what they thought about the fact that I lost a seat that I have been fighting for since I was little. There was obviously nothing political in their message. They just told me to keep my head up." 

On the identity of his replacement 

“I think a lot of drivers would like to have the place. Whoever gets it, I just hope it goes well for him and he does a good job. It might be a young driver, certainly in my position. Being in F1 is a huge challenge psychologically and physically. I only wish my replacement well, because he will have nothing to do with this situation.

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