Ralf Schumacher believes that a Nikita Mazepin departure would be the “only right option” now amidst global tensions

Ralf Schumacher believes that a Nikita Mazepin departure would be the “only right option” now amidst global tensions

Ralf Schumacher

Ralf Schumacher, German former racing driver believes that a possible Nikita Mazepin exit from the grid would be the “only current option” given the current circumstances that have taken form following Russian President Vladimir Putin-led invasion of Ukraine.

The implications of this global conflict has been felt by a lot of the arenas and that doesn’t leave the drivers on the grid or Formula One as a whole either. American racing team Haas has Ralf Schumacher’s nephew Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin driving as their works driver. Nikita Mazepin is the son of Dmitry, who owns Uralkali, the primary sponsor of Haas who recently got dismissed as their sponsor following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

After the dismissal of Uralkali as Haas’ primary sponsor, it puts Nikita Mazepin’s future as an F1 driver under a lot of questions. A lot of things seem to be unclear at the moment. New FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem summoned an urgent meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) earlier this week to tackle the ongoing issue. After this meeting, the FIA issued a statement stating that they would not completely debar Russian drivers from driving as long as they drive under a neutral flag. The fact that Haas’ representatives refused to comment on this puts a lot of question marks regarding Mazepin’s future.

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“Separation is the only right option at the moment”: Ralf Schumacher on Haas and Mazepin going different ways

Haas driver Nikita Mazepin
Haas driver Nikita Mazepin

Schumacher expressed how Mazepin and Haas parting ways would be a really beneficial option for both parties involved here. “It’s a shame for Nikita, who can’t do anything about it at all,” Schumacher added.

“It’s a difficult situation, but the separation is the only right option at the moment. From a sporting point of view, the separation can be quite a good decision for the team.” Schumacher also stressed on Haas terminating Uralkali’s contract as their primary sponsor.

“It has to come to this complete separation now,” Schumacher said. “We have two factors: one is the pressure from outside and the other is the fact that Haas is a US team.” He further established his faith in Haas for getting a new sponsorship in no time.

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