The Haas Formula One team, has announced today that Nikita Mazepin’s contract and their title partnership Uralkali contract have both been terminated with immediate effect.
The Russian’s future had been in doubt after his father Dmitry’s sponsor branding through Uralkali was removed from the team’s car at Barcelona testing. Team principal Guenther Steiner then admitted that Mazepin’s future with the team was something that needed to be addressed.
Since then the American team, have been under immense pressure to act on Mazepin’s future, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With sport all around the world cutting ties with the country.
The team released an statement saying: “Haas F1 Team has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin. 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.”
At this moment in time, Haas have not announced who will replace him but it is said to be announced early next week, before the Official Pre-Season Test in Bahrain.
Some of the drivers who could take the spot is: Pietro Fittipaldi, he is the front runner as he currently is the team’s test and reserve driver. Another is Antonio Giovinazzi, obviously he is tied with being Ferrari’s reserve but Haas and Ferrari have a very close relationship so he may get the spot. Some outsider candidates are: Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.
Russian Formula 1 driver, Nikita Mazepin is banned from competing in the British Grand Prix after Motorsport UK announced their response to the situation in Ukraine.
On Tuesday the 1st March, the Haas driver looked likely to be allowed to compete in the sport this season after the FIA confirmed Russian and Belarusian drivers could race under a neutral flag.
However, the chair of Motorsport UK David Richards CBE along with the board of the organisation has confirmed in a statement released today, that Mazepin would not be able to race at Silverstone in the beginning of July, unless the situation changes.
The decision was made in full consultation with the UK Government and national sports governing bodies to ensure there is a unilateral response.
“The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the acts of war by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support towards all those affected by the ongoing conflict.” Richards said. “We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded. This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU). Motorsport UK stands united with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the FAU, the Ukrainian motorsport community and the Ukrainian people and calls for the violence to end with a peaceful resolution.”
FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem said in a statement on Tuesday: “The FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine.”
In the statement, the FIA added: “Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the ‘FIA flag’, subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality.”
Motorsport UK announces actions in response to the current situation in Ukraine.
Haas are the first to show their 2022 livery with a series of digital renderings showcasing the car, VF22. The livery is an evolution of last years predominantly white design, as has been the case in previous years Haas will unveil the physical car in the Barcelona pit lane on the first morning of pre-season running.
It is known that the car will noticeably look a little different to what the digital renderings show, with the teams keen to keep significant parts of their design quiet for as long as possible and to stop other teams to take away their clever ideas.
Having dropped towards the back of the field in 2020, Haas decided not to develop their 2021 car in favour of putting 100% their resources on the 2022 car in a bid to return to the midfield. The VF-22 is the seventh Haas car, and the first to emerge from the American teams new design office in Maranello, led by Simone Resta the Technical Director.
To promote closer racing the FIA and F1 rewrote the rules, with the new cars featuring a ground effect floor, simplified front wing and dramatic rear wing plus the new Pirelli 18 inch tyres.
Haas were the only team last year not to score any points with two rookies at the wheel, Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
“It’s that time of year where you’re naturally optimistic that the hard work and effort of everyone will translate to a competitive entry on track,” said owner Gene Haas. “We made the decision back in 2020 to really channel time and resources into the VF-22, foregoing anything track-related for 2021 – which wasn’t easy to watch. Hopefully that decision bears fruit and we return to challenging for points and taking something from the weekends.”
Team Principal Guenther Steiner added: “We all know what the team is capable of, we’ve proved that in the past, and with this new car – born out of a completely new set of regulations and with our new design team in place – I’m confident we can showcase once again that we can compete on weekends. It’s been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and now comes the fun part of getting the new car to the circuit and dialling in all the elements. Last season was a long one but I’m confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22.”
Resta said: “This is probably the most complex project the Uralkali Haas F1 Team has dealt with to-date for many reasons. It’s a completely new set of regulations and this season we’ve brought in a new team to manage the creation of the VF-22. Not everyone is new but a good chunk of people have joined with a revised structure now in place. I consider this as a great success in the process. We’re still early in the project and going through a transitional season of working together on a car for a full year, but if we look back where we started, this team is already a success.”
My Opinion-
In regards to the livery, it actually looks a lot cleaner than last year but it keeps the 3 main colours on their, blue, red and white. Now onto the actual car, hopefully this car will see the drivers score some points and be in more battles up the grid.
Haas have announced when they will show their livery for 2022, that being tomorrow at 11am!
The North Carolina team will give fans the first look of their 2022 colours ahead of pre-season testing on February 23rd at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The VF-22 has had high input from Technical Director, Simone Resta who joined from Ferrari in time to help develop the car for the new regulations. They also acquired some additional Ferrari personnel at the start of 2021, as the Italian team sought ways to slim down its costs to meet cost cap restrictions.
Haas are hoping to have a better season than the previous after they scored no-points. They are hoping to work their way into at least the mid-field this season with no longer rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
It has been confirmed that Nikita Mazepin will not take part in the race today, as he has tested positive for Covid-19
Mazepin returned the result to an on-site test centre at Yas Marina, he then done a re-test which came back positive too.
Haas will not be putting Pietro Fittipaldi in the car as he has not took part in any practice sessions this weekend, so he is not eligible.
This means that they will only run Mick Schumacher today, who is starting P19.
A joint statement on Mazepin’s positive test said: “The FIA, Formula 1 and Haas F1 Team can today confirm that during onsite PCR testing for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Nikita Mazepin has tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with COVID-19 protocols he will take no further part in this Event. All contacts have been declared.
“There will be no replacement driver in accordance with article 31.1 of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, which prohibits any driver from starting the race who has not taken part in at least one practice session. The procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 will ensure no wider impact on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”
Jordan's Track Talk 