Russia's Nikita Mazepin is cleared to race in F1, but he'll have to do it under a neutral flag

At a meeting held on Tuesday evening (1 March), the FIA decided that Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin could race in the upcoming Formula One season. However, he will have to participate under a different flag, according to the sporting body. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mazepin won't be allowed to fly the Russian flag; he'll have to wave the FIA's.

According to reports earlier on Tuesday, and a FIA statement regarding the world motorsport council decisions, the governing body's president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "The FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock, and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation."

OPINION | Russia's war on Ukraine could cost Nikita Mazepin his future in F1

A statement made by the FIA, says the world motorsport council has decided the following regarding the current Russia/Ukraine situation: "Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors, and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the "FIA flag" subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA's principles of peace and political neutrality, until further notice."No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment, and car)- should be displayed, or anthems should be played at international/zone competitions, until further notice."

FIA Statement - World Motor Sport Council decisions in relation to the situation in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/HwChHhkla6

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Nikita Mazepin said on social media: "To my fans and followers - it's a difficult time, and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done. I'm choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my