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Haas cut ties with Nikita Mazepin and Uralkali

The major decision was taken following Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Haas Formula One team has cut ties with the Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali.

The decision was taken following Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which indicates that the Russian drivers aren’t signed up to drive in the upcoming Formula One season.

Haas F1 Team has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin,” the team said in a statement.

As with the rest of the Formula One community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict.”

The governing body of the sport, the FIA, announced earlier this week that Belarusian and Russian drivers could compete in international motorsport, only if they raced under a neutral flag and agreed not to support Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

However, on Saturday, March 5, Haas officially announced the termination of the deal with Mazepin and Uralkali. The team also mentioned that the news on the driver’s replacement would follow next week.

Mazepin teamed up with Haas at the beginning of 2021 as part of a sponsorship deal with the Russian fertilizer company, Uralkali, which is partly owned by his father Dimitry through his company Uralchem.

The partnership with Uralkali helped Haas to ensure its finances ahead of the 2021 season, which led to a title sponsorship deal with the car painted in the colours of the Russian flag.

Last week, on the final day of the ongoing year’s preseason test in Barcelona, the Uralkali branding and livery was removed from the car while Mazepin was allowed to drive the VF22 as planned.

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