The world of sport continues to question itself about the correct position to hold towards Russian athletes, more than ten days after the declaration of war made by the Moscow government against Ukraine. Many international federations have decided to ban the athletes of the aggressor country from their competitions without reserve, thus aligning themselves also in the sports field with the strong economic sanctions imposed by the main Western governments against the government led by Vladimir Putin. In the world of motorsport, a less drastic approach has been chosen, at least on paper, towards the drivers of that country.
In fact, the FIA has asked the Russian and Belarusian drivers to sign a document in which they distance themselves from the war in Ukraine and agree to compete under a neutral flag. Former Red Bull and Toro Rosso F1 driver, Daniil Kvyat, refused to ratify this agreement, effectively excluding itself from the 2022 season of the WEC. The only Russian driver currently in Formula 1 instead, Nikita Mazepin, was excluded from his own team, Haas. The American team has chosen to renounce the Muscovite and also its generous sponsor – the giant Uralkali – unleashing the anger of the person concerned.
Mazepin, however, has received more than one certificate of solidarity from colleagues and paddock members. The Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has spoken out publicly against the Russian attack on Ukraine but also in favor of # 9. Similarly too Sergio Pereza Red Bull driver, without explicitly mentioning Mazepin’s case, however, took the side of the Russian athletes. “In a sense, Russian athletes are paying for Putin’s war – Max Verstappen’s teammate told the Spanish site Marca – I disagree with this. I believe that the athletes are not responsible for what the Russian president is doing “. Mazepin and Perez had been teammates in the days of Force India, when the Russian was the third driver of the team, alongside the Mexican and Esteban Ocon.
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