Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli (Getty Images)
Haas Formula One Team hasn’t been doing very well over the past few years, but 2022 promises to be the worst. Hold on to your hats because we have a hell of an update coming up as it’s been a long time since our last update.
Haas F1 Drops Nikita Mazepin, Uralkali
After Russia invaded Ukraine, sports organizations around the world began calling for widespread protest against the conflict, banning Russian athletes from competing. Previously, F1 had only asked Russian and Belarusian athletes not to compete under their national flag – but that was before the invasion happened. Rumors have been circulating for several days about the status of Russian rider Nikita Mazepin and the Russian sponsor of the Uralkali team.
On March 5, these rumors were finally confirmed. Haas will part ways with all Russian team members.
“The Haas F1 team has made the decision to immediately terminate the title partnership with Uralkali and the contract of driver Nikita Mazepin,” Haas said in a statement. “Like the rest of the F1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a speedy and peaceful end to the conflict.”
You may remember that Uralkali was involved in a mining operation in Russia that created sinkholes large enough to swallow an entire city.
Haas will rebrand the vehicles to receive the Haas Automation livery.
Mazepin does not understand what happened
The loss of Mazepin’s place did not come as a surprise to anyone, except, apparently, Mazepin himself. Speaking to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press, team owner Gene Haas said that Mazepin did not understand how unbearable the situation has become.
Mazepin also complained on social media about his twist of fate.
“Dear fans and followers, I am very disappointed to learn that my F1 contract has been terminated,” he wrote. “While I understand the difficulties, the decision of the FIA, plus my continued willingness to accept the conditions offered to proceed, were completely ignored and no process was undertaken unilaterally.
“To those who tried to understand, my eternal gratitude. I treasured my time in Formula 1 and sincerely hope that we will all be together again in better times. I will have something to say in the coming days.”
I can’t say that I would be so surprised or slandered, but that’s just me.
Pietro Fittipaldi?
There were rumors that as a reserve pilot of the team, Pietro Fittipaldi – the grandson of Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi – would receive Mazepin’s vacant seat. Team owner Gene Haas confirmed on 7 March that Fittipaldi would take Mazepin’s car for the upcoming pre-season test in Bahrain, but denied that a place in the race was guaranteed by Fittipaldi.
“We’re in the process of reviewing multiple candidates, we’ll see who’s available and what we’ll have to deal with, but we’ll have someone by Wednesday,” Haas told The Associated Press.
Who’s on the run? In addition to Fittipaldi, Antonio Giovinazzi was associated with the Haas chair. The driver lost his seat at Alfa Romeo at the end of 2021 and instead moved to the Dragon Racing team in Formula E. As part of the Ferrari junior academy, he would be a perfect fit for the Ferrari-powered Haas team.
Hass for sale?
No. At least Gene Haas says his F1 team is not for sale. Some rumors have linked the team to Michael Andretti, who is currently exploring the possibility of starting his own F1 team. People are speculating that Andretti might buy Haas. However, this does not seem to be the case now.
Equipment stuck in England
To make a bad off-season even worse, journalist Toby Gruner reported on March 7 that Haas’ cars are currently stuck at Doncaster Airport in England as the team prepares to fly to Bahrain for another test session. It is not yet clear if the team will make it to Bahrain by the first day of testing.