The only Russian driver in Formula One racing has been dumped by his North Carolina-based team over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kannapolis, N.C.-based Haas F1 has “immediately terminated” its contract with rookie driver Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali, a Russia-based producer of potash, the mined ore that’s used primarily in fertilizers.
“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,” Haas 1 said on Twitter early Saturday.
In a message to his fans and nearly 90,000 followers on Twitter on Saturday, the 22-year-old Mazepin said he was “very disappointed” by the termination.
F1 this past week banned competitions in Russia and Belarus, as well as the use of the countries’ flags, symbols and anthems. The Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for September in Sochi, also was canceled.
Russian and Belarussian drivers are allowed to compete in a “neutral capacity,” F1 said.
However, Mazepin, in his tweet Saturday, said his “ongoing willingness” to accept F1’s conditions “were completely ignored.”
In a Feb. 25 tweet, he said he was “not in control over a lot of what is being said and done” over the escalating crisis.
The 2022 F1 season was set to be Mazepin’s second in the open-wheel sport and with Haas, according to his bio on the team’s website.
Mazepin, a Moscow native, was scheduled to partner again with Germany’s Mick Schumacher as the youngest driver pairing on the circuit, according to the team. Schumacher is the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher.
Uncertainty for Russian athletes
Haas’ announcement was the latest fallout for Russian athletes from their country’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
On Friday, auto racing’s international body, known as FIA, removed the Russian Grand Prix from its calendar, The Associated Press reported.
Sports including biathlon and table tennis joined a dozen or more other Olympic sports to ban competitors from Russia and Belarus, the AP reported Thursday.
Blanket bans have been imposed in soccer, track, basketball and hockey, after an appeal from the International Olympic Committee to the athletes from international events, according to the AP.
What the future holds for Mazepin is unknown.
His best finish during his rookie F1 season was 14th place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he clocked the fastest lap, according to Haas.
Mazepin finished 2021 with five DNFs and one DNS after testing positive for COVID-19 at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, team officials said. He finished 21st in the driver standings.
