The Haas Formula 1 team has announced its decision to terminate the contract of Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The future’s of both Mazepin and Uralkali became unclear when Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine last Thursday, leading to worldwide shock amid the ongoing conflict.
It has resulted in many major sporting corporations choosing to distance themselves from Russia, with UEFA moving May’s Champions League Final to Paris from St Petersburg and FIFA banning the Russian national team.
F1 announced earlier this week that this year’s Russian Grand Prix on September 25 would not go ahead, before terminating its contract with the race’s promoter altogether.
Although Mazepin drove for Haas at the first pre-season test in Barcelona last week, the team ran a plain livery on the final day after removing Uralkali’s branding from its car.
Team principal Gunther Steiner said it would need to sit down to discuss the “legal ramifications” if it was to continue with Mazepin and Uralkali this season.
But on Saturday, Haas confirmed it had parted ways with both Mazepin and Uralkali just two weeks before the season opener in Bahrain.
A short statement from the team read: “Haas F1 team has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin.
“As with the rest of the Formula 1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict.”
Haas will now turn its attention to filling the second seat alongside Mick Schumacher, with the American-owned team revealing Mazepin’s replacement would be unveiled next week.
Steiner admitted reserve driver
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