Axed Mazepin claims steps to keep him racing in F1 "were ignored"
A “disappointed” Nikita Mazepin has responded to his axing from the Haas Formula 1 team, saying his willingness to accept the FIA’s proposals on Russian competitors was “ignored”.
On Saturday morning, Haas announced it had terminated its title sponsorship with Russian chemical giant Uralkali and Mazepin – whose father owns Uralkali – also losing his drive for the 2022 season.
This came as a response to Russia’s widely condemned invasion of Ukraine last week, with countries worldwide imposing sanctions on Russia.
Motorsport authorities across the globe have made their own responses to the Ukraine war, with world governing body the FIA banning Russian and Belarusian competitors from racing under their native flags.
Motorsport UK has outright banned competitors with licences from both countries from competing in its series.
Given the Mazepin family’s ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, Nikita Mazepin’s future in F1 was in doubt.
In a statement responding to Haas' announcement issued on his social media, Mazepin said: “Dear fans and followers, I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated.
“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 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.”
Haas is yet to make any follow-up announcements on its recent news in regards to who will come onboard as title sponsor and who will replace Mazepin.
In an interview during Barcelona pre-season testing last month, Haas team boss Gunther Steiner said test driver Pietro Fittipaldi would be first in line should Mazepin lose his seat.
Fittipaldi contested two races for Haas in 2020 as replacement for the injured Romain Grosjean following his horror Bahrain accident.
For the final day of the Barcelona pre-season test in February, Haas removed all Uralkali branding – which featured the Russian flag colours – from its cars in response to the Ukraine invasion.
It is unclear at this stage what Haas’ plans will be for next week’s Bahrain F1 pre-season test in the wake of the Mazepin/Uralkali split.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Top Comments
MotoGP 2025: Full rider line-up revealed
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
Ex-F1 driver Mazepin begins testing in Europe as EU sanctions lift
Mazepin has EU sanctions lifted after court ruling
What to expect from F1's rookie trio in 2021
Battling ‘big boys’ brings synergy to new Haas sponsorship deal
Explained: How the Haas-Toyota F1 alliance is actually going to work
How Hulkenberg transformed his F1 career with Haas
Formula 1 drivers with the most converted pole positions to race wins
Lundgaard feels “more natural pace” with Arrow McLaren in debut test
How a standard bearer of BTCC’s golden era replicated Vauxhall glory with Nissan
Meyer Shank signs BMW, Cadillac talents for IMSA return with Acura
How Red Bull owes its F1 future - and past - to Ford
How F1’s most famous engine unlocked the potential of Brabham's forgotten gem
The detail focus that will make Audi’s Red Bull hire a hit team boss
The Russell traits that will ease his adaption to becoming Mercedes team leader
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
