Hass sacked Nikita Mazepin after the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Fired Method 1 driver Nikita Mazepin says his dismissal by Haas didn’t depart him with “confidence” within the group.
The US-owned Haas group has been underneath great strain to work on the way forward for Russian driver Mazepin after his nation’s invasion of Ukraine, as the game all over the world severed ties with Russia.
The FIA, F1’s governing physique, has stated Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete of their occasions underneath a impartial flag, so long as they formally conform to the group’s rules of peace and neutrality, however Mazepin says he was sacked earlier than he had an opportunity to take action.
Talking from Moscow for the primary time since his dismissal, Mazepin stated: “I used to be able to conform to this and think about myself neutral.
“After they added an extra letter I needed to signal, I did not take a look at it as a result of my contract had already been terminated.”
Mazepin additionally stated that he came upon concerning the termination of his contract by way of a press launch, and didn’t rule out authorized motion in opposition to Haas.
“I do not wish to be on a group that does not need me,” Mazbin stated.
“Method 1 is a harmful sport and you must rely upon the group you are working with. It is a matter of security, and it is truthful to say I do not belief them.
“It’s good to maintain all (authorized) choices open. There was no authorized motive that might allow the group to terminate my contract.
“I used to be very upset with the way in which it was dealt with. I used to be instructed if the FIA allowed me to compete on their guidelines, and I agreed to them, there could be no procedures to take me off the seat.
“I have never heard from the group because it occurred and I realized of the taking pictures on the identical time it was launched to the press.
“I am younger and I wasn’t prepared for it. I did not obtain any trace or any assist, nor was I instructed that this was the choice we made. I realized concurrently you probably did.
“I misplaced the dream I had been working in direction of for 18 years. I by no means imagined dropping my driving would occur so quickly.
“However I completely do not see in Method 1 a closed class. I’ll keep in racing situation and be able to take an opportunity if that occurs.”
Has i Magnussen as a substitute for Mazepin
Haas is exploring the opportunity of changing former driver Kevin Magnussen with Mazepin earlier than the brand new season.
Magnussen, who raced for Haas for 4 seasons earlier than the group let him go on the finish of the 2020 season, had beforehand pushed McLaren and Renault.
The Dane has been exploring completely different types of racing since leaving Method 1, having run within the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the IndyCar collection, however now appears set to race alongside German Mick Schumacher when the season begins in Bahrain on March 20 – proper in Sky Sports activities.
Kevin Magnussen might change Mazepin at Haas forward of the brand new F1 season
Brazilian reserve Petro Fittipaldi will check Haas in Bahrain on Thursday after Mazepin’s departure.
A spokesman stated the 2 vehicles arrived late on the Sakhir circuit on Tuesday after air freight was delayed because of a technical drawback.
“This delay will have an effect on our program however we’re aiming to get out on monitor for the second session on Thursday afternoon with Pietro Fittipaldi’s VF-22 driving,” he stated, with out elaborating.
Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time world champion Emerson, stood for Romain Grosjean within the 2020 Sakhir and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Haas completed final in 2023 and was the one group to not rating some extent but focus totally on growing their automobile for this yr’s main rule modifications.
Billionaire father Mazepin appears to get sponsorship a reimbursement from Haas
Mazepin’s father, oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, is part-owner of Hass’s ex-patron, Uralkali – a contract that was additionally scrapped – and a companion of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a press release, the corporate stated: “Uralkali for a few years has made a major contribution to reaching world meals safety and offering nice help to the whole group of federations, organizations and sporting occasions in Russia and overseas. The corporate considers the group’s choice unreasonable and believes that sport ought to at all times be free from politics and strain. from exterior components.
In view of the foregoing, Uralkali intends to guard its pursuits in keeping with relevant authorized course of and reserves its rights to provoke judicial proceedings, declare damages and search reimbursement of the substantial sums paid by Uralkali for the 2023 Method One season.
Please use Chrome browser for an accessible video participant
Valtteri Bottas helps Method One’s choice to cancel the Russian Grand Prix, whereas Mick Schumacher ‘unhappy’ the state of affairs in Ukraine
“As many of the sponsorship funding for the 2023 season has already been transferred to Haas, and on condition that the group terminated the sponsorship settlement earlier than the primary race of the 2023 season, Haas has consequently failed to meet its obligations to Uralkali for this season.
“Uralkali shall request rapid reimbursement of the quantities obtained by Haas. The refund from Haas and the rest of Uralkali’s sponsor funding for 2023 will likely be used to ascertain the We Compete As One Sports activities Help Basis.”
Mazepine: I’ve had assist from different drivers
Mazepin revealed that he had obtained messages of assist from different Method 1 drivers, together with Britain’s George Russell.
“I recognize the few drivers who’ve expressed their assist for me,” Mazbin stated.
“Sergio (Perez), Valtteri (Bottas), Charles (Leclerc) and George (Russell) have known as me.
Mazepin says he has obtained messages of assist from different F1 drivers
“They know the way necessary the state of affairs is, and so they confirmed their assist after the chance to compete was misplaced.
“The messages weren’t political it was only a private stage – to maintain my head as a result of the athletes have been shattered and their lives destroyed after a call like this.”
Throughout a five-minute textual content dialogue, Mazepin additionally introduced the creation of a basis known as, We Compete as One, to assist athletes “who’re banned from competing, and collectively punished for simply the passports they maintain.”
“It has been 4 days since my dismissal and I can say that there is no such thing as a one outdoors to guard the athletes who find yourself on this place and I wish to be the primary to assist me,” he added.
