Haas F1 Part Ways with Russian Driver Nikita Mazepin

SCARPERIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 11: Nikita Mazepin of Russia and Hitech Grand Prix following practice ahead of the Formula 2 Championship at Mugello Circuit on September 11, 2020 in Scarperia, Italy. (Photo by Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

The Haas Formula 1 Team announced early Saturday they have terminated Nikita Mazepin’s contract and their title partnership with Uralkali.

“Haas F1 Team has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin,” said a statement from the team.

“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.”

Uralkali is based in Russia and is owned in part by Dmitry Mazepin; Nikita Mazepin is his son. The team had pulled the sponsor livery from the cars last week during testing.

There was no indication of who would replace Mazepin and race alongside Mick Schumacher this season – though news on who will step in is expected early next week.

The Official Pre-Season Test begins on Thursday March 10 in Bahrain, with the opening Grand Prix of the season taking place at the same venue on March 18-20.

The news comes days after Russia invaded Ukraine setting off a firestorm of criticism around the world.

On Thursday Formula 1 confirmed it had terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter. It means that Russia will no longer have a race in the future.

TEAM STATEMENT #HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/5aEXLzYtmV

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 5, 2022

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Greg Engle

Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community.

Greg has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.

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