Formula 1 team Haas has sacked Russian driver Nikita Mazepin in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine. Haas also terminated its contract with the Russian chemicals company Uralkali as title sponsor. Mazepin has reacted in disappointment saying that no due process was followed.
Mazepin’s billionaire father Dmitry, a close associate of Putin, is a co-owner of Uralkali through his company Uralchem.
Reacting to the decision, Mazepin wrote on social media saying that he was ‘disappointed’ adding that his ‘willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored.”
“Dear fans and followers, I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated. 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 in better time. I will have more to say in common days.”
— Nikita Mazepin (@nikita_mazepin) March 5, 2022
This comes days after the Formula One governing body, the FIA, decided to cancel Russia’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is scheduled to be held in Sochi in September.
The decision was taken soon after four-time champion Sebastian Vettel said that he would not race in Russia if the race went ahead. The German driver had said, “I should not go, I will not go. It is wrong to race in the country.”
This assumes significance given importance of Russian Grand Prix for Vladimir Putin, who had played a key role in starting this sporting event in Russia in 2014. Putin has a palace in Sochi, the venue of the Russian Grand Prix. This was expected to shift to St Petersburg, Putin’s hometown, from next year. But its future is uncertain now in light of Putin’s decision to invade a soveriegn nation.