Haas F1 has issued a statement
Fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. Now, American owned Haas F1 Team out of North Carolina has terminated their contract with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.
Back on February 25th, just days after the invasion began, Nikita Mazepin issued a statement:
“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 Haas F1 Team . My deepest thanks for your understanding and support.”
Uralkali (MCX: URKA) is a publicly traded Russian company. They produce potash fertilizer and export it around the world. 5 mines are excavated of various minerals to produce the product.
They were founded in 1934 and have grown to revenues in the billions. In 2022, they were a major sponsor of the Haas F1 Team.
As of 4:30am ET on Saturday, Uralkali is now longer a sponsor of the Haas F1 team. At the same time, Haas has also released Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.
Nikita is the son of Dmitry Mazepin. He serves as the majority shareholder and chair of Uralchem Integrated Chemicals Company. Dmitry acquired a 20% stake in Uralkali back in 2013, in a deal rumored at $2.9 billion.
The 2022 season hasn’t started yet. It begins on March 18-20th via the Bahrain Grand Prix. A pre-season test is scheduled for March 10 in Bahrain.
It remains unclear who will replace Mazepin.
Haas F1: Statement
“Haas F1 Team has elected to terminate with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin,” the statement opened.
“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,” the team statement concluded.
Mazepin signed with the team at the start of the 2021 season along with Formula 2 Championship winner Mick Schumacher. He ran 21 races for Haas in his debut F1 season with a best finish of 14th in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In his last race of the 2021 season, Mazepin was unable to compete in the championship race after testing positive for COVID-19, Haas was unable to find a replacement driver for that event..
Mazepin was scheduled to drive the No. 9 for the team again in 2022.
Related: NASCAR team owner sending 1 million rounds to Ukraine
Russian Grand Prix: Canceled
The Russian Grand Prix was already canceled by F1. That announcement came last week.
The February 25th statement read, “The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together.”
“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.”
On Thursday, F1 clarified:
On march 3rd, they added, “Formula 1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter.”
“It means that Russia will no longer have a race in the future.”
“Last week, F1 announced that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in 2022 in the current circumstances.”
