Jeremy Clarkson has been slammed for his opinionated tweet aimed at Russia's F1 driver Nikita Mazepin.
The former Top Gear presenter posted a foul-mouthed message on social media following the driver's comments about the Russian Grand Prix amid the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The driver, who is gearing up for his second season with Haas, was heard saying on Wednesday when asked about the Russian Grand Prix going ahead: "As an athlete competing at the highest level you know what's going on in the world at the moment and obviously it involves Russia.
"I'm not struggling at all because I've always been a big supporter of sports without politics and today I'm in Barcelona."
After not specifically condoning Russia's action, these comments drew in criticism, but the 22-year-old since followed up by tweeting: :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 best for my @HaasF1Team. My deepest thanks for your understanding and support."
But Mazepin's initial comments sparked a savage response from Clarkson - who tweeted: "Nikita Mazepin. You f***ing r****d. Go and race in Russia on your own. You’d still lose."
A large section of fans did not take too kindly to Clarkson’s choice of words, as @ BrianLBarnett wrote: "There is absolutely no need for that sort of derogatory language, of all the words that could have been used this one was very poorly chosen."
@SavMondo tweeted: "I’m all up for having an opinion but disability slurs are not on."
While @LumbardiYT wrote: "You can't say the r slur jeremy STOP IT!"
However, Clarkson doubled down in response to criticism, responding to one tweet: "Nope. I think I got it right."
Meanwhile, Mazepin’s father, Dmitry, has been pictured meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in the past, and it has been reported that his constructors fear sanctions on Uralkali - a potash fertiliser and title sponsor of Haas which his dad is chairman of - could restrict their funding in the near future.
That's led to suggestions that Haas could cut ties with Mazepin less than a month before the new season gets underway, though the youngster has remained calm on the matter.
Furthermore in the wake of the escalating war, F1 came to a decision earlier today to cancel this year’s Russian Grand Prix.
137 Ukrainians were killed on the first day of the invasion and hundreds more injured with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky calling up reservists.
Fighting has continued today with Kremlin forces moving in on Ukraine's capital of Kyiv, which has led to thousands of civilians desperately fleeing - some to the city of Lviv in eastern Ukraine, others have taken off to to the borders of neighbouring Poland.
The Sochi GP was set to be held in September, but it was confirmed the race will no longer go ahead.
"The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together," the statement said.
"We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
"On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances."
