Nikita Mazepin felt completely ‘ignored,’ as Haas terminate contract with Russian driver

Nikita Mazepin felt completely ‘ignored,’ as Haas terminate contract with Russian driver

Haas' Russian driver Nikita Mazepin

Haas F1 terminate Nikita Mazepin’s contract ahead of the 2022 Formula One season. The American team decided to sever ties with Mazepin after FIA and F1 recently terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix stating it will not be racing in Russia in the future.

“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 in a statement. The decision was taken to also sever ties with Dimitry Mazepin’s company.

Mazepin’s ban comes after the Russian was barred from racing in 2022’s British Grand Prix after UK’s Motorsports authority has decided to ban Russian drivers from participating in races held in the UK.

FS Video

Also Read: ‘No funding issues!’ Haas confident to go ahead without Nikita Mazepin…

Nikita Mazepin: “I will have more to say in the coming days”

Haas driver Nikita Mazepin
Haas driver Nikita Mazepin

FIA had decided to initiate a ban on all motorsport events in Russia and Belarus. The ban also bans nationals and teams from the two countries from participating in international events. However Russian drivers and teams were allowed to participate in their neutral capacity and under the “FIA flag”, subject to FIA’s approval.

“I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated,” Mazepin expressed in his social media post. “While I understand the difficulties, the ruling from FIA plus my ongoing willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored and no process was followed in this unilateral step.”

“To those who have tried to understand, my eternal thanks. I have treasured my time in F1 and genuinely hope we can all be together again in better times. I will have more to say in the coming days.” The Russian Fertilizer giant ‘Uralkali’ is owned by Mazepin’s father Dimitry.

Pietro Fittipaldi would be the first option to replace Mazepin. The Brazilian has been associated with Haas for the last 3 years as a Reserve Driver. Haas will be announcing Mazepin’s replacement before the Official Pre-season test commences in Bahrain on March 10-12.

Also Read: Haas to sever relations with Nikita Mazepin; Pietro Fittipaldi named as…