F1 News: Nikita Mazepin Will Race In 2022 FIA Confrims
Nikita Mazepin will be allowed to compete in the 2022 F1 season under a neutral flag according to the FIA despite the International Olympic Committee recommending the banning of all Russian athletes. This comes days after the future of the Haas driver was called into question after Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
A statement from FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem was released yesterday to shed more light on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine would affect the 2022 F1 season and its Russian drivers. Posted to Twitter, it said:
“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.”
FIA Statement – World Motor Sport Council decisions in relation to the situation in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/HwChHhkla6
— FIA (@fia) March 1, 2022
This statement also added that Russian and Belarusian drivers would compete under the FIA flag and in a neutral capacity “subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality.”
Only days ago, Mazepin posted a message to Twitter, thanking his fans and followers for their support:
“To my fans and followers – it’s a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done. I’m choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my best for my @HaasF1Team . My deepest thanks for your understanding and support.”
To my fans and followers – it's a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done. I'm choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my best for my @HaasF1Team . My deepest thanks for your understanding and support. 🙏
— Nikita Mazepin (@nikita_mazepin) February 25, 2022
Haas is staying silent while the team works on removing its main sponsor, the Russian company Uralkali, from its branding. The livery was removed from the car for the third day of testing leading people to wonder if this would affect the team’s relationship with Nikita Mazepin thanks to Uralkali being part-owned by his father, Dmitry Mazepin.
We’re hoping we get more news from the Haas team principal Guenther Steiner later this week.
The Ukraine Motorsport Federation has however asked for all Russian and Belarusian to be banned from competing outside their own countries, so only time will tell how this reflects on the FIA and F1.
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Do you think Nikita Mazepin should race in 2022? #F1 #F1Testing
— Grand Tour Nation (@GrandTourNation) March 2, 2022
