‘I didn’t deserve it’ - Nikita Mazepin says he was unfairly dismissed by Haas after hearing he was sacked via the media

Nikita Mazepin admits he heard about his sacking from Haas via the media and stressed that he was unfairly dismissed by the team. Sporting governing bodies were being put under increasing pressure to ban Russian competitors after the country’s invasion of Ukraine, but the FIA had a softer stance and were prepared to give Russian and Belarusian drivers neutral status. Ad/> However, the Daily Mail reports that the tipping point appeared to come after Motorsport UK announced Russian-linked competitors would not be able to compete at the British Grand Prix, prompting the decision for Mazepin’s contract to be terminated by Haas.

Formula 1Horner: Mercedes ‘bullied’ Masi into F1 exitYESTERDAY AT 18:19 As reported by journalist Cezary Gutowski, he said: “First of all, I want to say that I understand that the world is not like it was two weeks ago. It was an extremely painful time for both you and me. People who are not here see it from a different angle.

We in Russia and Ukraine see it's on many other levels. “I was planning to start as a neutral athlete. The FIA allowed it.

I had no problem with that, but the night before my contract was terminated, additional directives came out and as we started to analyse them, I got a message the next morning that the contract was cancelled. I was fired. “I deserved more support from the team.

I was relieved to see that the FIA allowed us to start in neutral colours. I was hoping to drive. Then everything changed and I lost the dream I had been working for for 18 years.