Haas axes Nikita Mazepin, title sponsor as Formula 1 world continues to protest against Russian invasion
Haas has torn up the contract of driver Nikita Mazepin and abandoned title sponsor Uralkali, as the Formula 1 world continues to protest against Russia's war on Ukraine.
Mazepin is Russian and his dad, Dmitry, is not only the owner of Uralkali but a close associate of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
It remains unclear who will partner Mick Schumacher at Haas in the 2022 world championship, but that is expected to be revealed in the coming days.
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The first signs of the Russian invasion rattling Haas saw the American team strip away its Uralkali name and logo from its cars, as well as its Russia-inspired red, white and blue colours, for the final day of Barcelona pre-season testing. The team instead wheeled out an all-white livery.
Haas has axed Nikita Mazepin and abandoned title sponsor Uralkali, as the Formula 1 world continues to protest against Russia. Mark Thompson/Getty Images
The news of Haas booting Mazepin and Uralkali comes less than a week after Formula 1 terminated its Russian Grand Prix contract.
Haas released a blunt statement in revealing its termination of the Mazepin and Uralkali contracts.
"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," a Haas statement reads.
Mazepin released a statement on social media shortly after the news of his sacking broke.
"I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated," Mazepin's statement reads.
"While I understand the difficulties, the ruling from FIA plus my ongoing willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored and no process was followed in this unilateral step.
"To those who have tried to understand, my eternal thanks.
"I have treasured my time in F1 and genuinely hope we can all be together again in better times.
"I will have more to say in the coming days.
"Nikita."
The official pre-season testing, to be held in Bahrain, will begin on Thursday.
Bahrain will then host the opening race of the season on the weekend of March 18-20.
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