Motorsport
Russian Grand Prix cancelled! What about Haas and Mazepin?
Formula 1 reacted very quickly to the current situation in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and on Friday issued a statement about the cancellation of this year’s race in Russia. There had already been statements from several drivers who said they would not enter the race if necessary. Along with the race cancellation, there is also talk about the future of the Haas stable.
Formula 1 reacted very quickly to the current situation in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and on Friday issued a statement about the cancellation of this year’s race in Russia. There had already been statements from several drivers who said they would not enter the race if necessary. Along with the race cancellation, there is also talk about the future of the Haas stable, which is linked to Vladimir Putin’s close friend Dmitry Mazepin.
Already on Friday, Nikita Mazepin (Dmitry’s son, an F1 driver – ed.) and the entire Haas stable drove in pure white during pre-season testing. The main sponsor and the Russian tricolour on the front wing have disappeared from the monopost. And there is speculation that Nikita Mazepin might not ride at all next season. And there’s also talk that Haas won’t enter the season at all.
But so far, apart from the apparent cancellation of the Russian GP, there is only speculation surrounding Mazepin. “I have no control over a lot of things that are said and done,” the driver himself said on Twitter. “I chose the things I can do, and that’s hard work for Haas,” the Russian driver added.
There are certainly no shortage of replacements for Mazepin. There is talk of Antonio Giovinazzi or Robert Schwartzman, for example. The latter, although he currently holds Russian citizenship, has spent only a minimal part of his life in Russia, so a possible change of citizenship should not be a problem for him.
The first to speak out against the race in Russia was four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel, who was joined by defending champion Max Verstappen later on Thursday. On the other hand, silence has so far surrounded Lewis Hamilton, who, as a seven-time world champion, has so far refrained from making any comments on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Formula 1 is currently wrapping up its first pre-season test held in Barcelona. From there, the whole merry-go-round moves to Bahrain for the second pre-season test.
18. on March 2022, the cars will go out for their first official practice session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.
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