Nick Geddes
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Haas F1 racing team announced Saturday that Russian driver Nikita Mazepin will not race for the team during the 2022 Formula One season.
According to the New York Post, the team severed ties with the 23-year-old and his sponsor Uralkali in the aftermath of Russia’s ongoing invasion against Ukraine.
“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.”
Mazepin said in a statement via Twitter that while disappointed in the outcome, he hopes to find his way back to the sport in “better times.”
Just a rookie last season, Mazepin was the only Russian on the grid. Haas racing failed to score a single point and Mazepin finished 21st in the standings.
Per ESPN, Mazepin joined the team in 2021 as part of a sponsorship deal with the Russian fertilizer company Uralkali. The company is part-owned by his father Dmitry. Dmitry Mazepin has a relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and was one of the business leaders who met with him at the Kremlin in Moscow last week.
His future was already up in the air after Motorsport UK recently banned all Russian and Belarusian license holders from competing in the country. Haas removed Uralkali branding from the No. 9 car during the final day of testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last week.
In addition to the ousting of Mazepin, Formula One called off its 2022 race in Russia. They announced Thursday that they would no longer race in Russia, terminating its contract with the Russian Grand Prix.
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Apparently it’s okay all of a sudden to discriminate against people solely based on national origin? That’ll fix it! This world has lost its ever loving mind.
Prejudice
: injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one’s rights.
an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics
Insanity rules again. I am sure this driver did not order the invasion or had any part in the decision. But if it makes them feel good to cut a driver for no real reason, then i guess its ok.