Haas terminates Mazepin's contract with immediate effect

It was only a matter of time, it's now official. Nikita mazepin is no longer a pilot Haas en Formula 1. The American team formalized this Saturday morning the termination of the contract linking it to the Russian driver as well as that with its title sponsor, Uralkali.

« Haas has decided to end the partnership with Uralkali and the contract of Nikita Mazepin with immediate effect, can we read in the press release published by Haas. Like the rest of the Formula 1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a quick and peaceful end to the conflict »

TEAM STATEMENT # HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/5aEXLzYtmV

— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 5, 2022

The outcome was unfortunately inevitable for Nikita Mazepin, indirect victim of the decisions taken by Vladimir Putin against Ukraine in recent days. If he was able to ride in Barcelona during the first tests of the year, the rest of the season was going to be much more complicated for him. Supported by Uralkali, the Russian was not going to be able to carry a Russian flag in sporting events whether on his suit, his helmet or even his car nor the mention “Russian Automobile Federation (RAF)”, used by drivers instead of “Russia” since 2021 due to the exclusion of Russia from any meeting -you world sportsman.

Regarding Nikita Mazepin's replacement, Haas has not yet made an official announcement. If the name of Pietro Fittipaldi, current reserve driver of the team, had been mentioned in recent days, the American team could probe Antonio Giovinazzi, on the sidelines after his departure fromAlfa Romeo end of 2021. The first city nevertheless seems to be leaving with a head start due to its status in the structure but also because Ferrari, whose second is a member of his academy, will have to make a big gesture to offer him the second seat of the team.

Russian sport in the tough

While Russia continues its attacks in Ukraine, its sport continues to suffer sanctions. This week, the FIA ​​banned the wearing of the “RAF” designation, forcing drivers to race neutrally and under the federation’s flag. Motorsport UK for its part was more drastic and banned Russian-licensed riders and teams from participating in motorsport-related competitions in the United Kingdom.

Formula 1, after canceling the 2022 edition, ended the contract with the promoter of the Russian Grand Prix which ran until 2025 and was even due to be relocated to Saint Petersburg from 2023. Outside of motorsport, the Russian athletes have been banned from the Beijing Paralympic Games, which kicked off this Friday March 4.

In football, UEFA has decided to deprive Russia of the Champions League final in Saint Petersburg by relocating it to the Stade de France (Saint-Denis). Owner of the Chelsea club and close, at least in the past, to Vladimir Putin, Roman Abramovich was forced to put his team up for sale.

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