The news of the official termination by Haas of the contracts with Nikita Mazepin and the title sponsor Uralkali was certainly not a bolt from the blue. Despite the FIA’s guarantee of the possibility for Russian and Belarusian drivers to continue racing under a neutral flag, the team headed by Gunther Steiner preferred to proceed on their own path.
Choice destined to cause discussion, both in one sense and in the other: those who see and consider appropriate the decision of an American team to abandon a Russian driver to their fate accompanied by a generous sponsor has as fierce rivals those who, on the other side of the barricade, see sport as a symbol of union and not separation, with various Russian athletes judged not guilty of the geopolitical situation following the war unleashed by Vladimir Putin against Ukraine.
Mazepin’s brief reaction is entrusted to social networks. Nikita has chosen her Instagram profile to express her desolation on the story that sees him as protagonist in spite of himself.
“Dear fans and followers, I am very sorry to have learned that my contract in Formula 1 has been terminated. Although I understand the difficulties of the moment, the rules of the FIA - in addition to my willingness to continue despite the current conditions – are were completely ignored by a decision taken unilaterally “, reads the few lines communicated by Mazepin.
“To those who have tried to understand the moment goes my eternal gratitude. I treasure the time spent in Formula 1 and I hope one day we will be together again. I will have more to say in the coming days”, concluded the Russian driver. .
In his Formula 1 career, Nikita Mazepin raced 21 Grands Prix – skipping the Abu Dhabi one due to Covid-19 positivity – obtaining a 14th place at the Azerbaijan GP as his best result.
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