Russian Nikita Mazepin will not be racing in F1 this season after his American team Haas cut ties with the 23-year-old and title sponsor Uralkali on Saturday over his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The team did not immediately announce a replacement to race alongside Germany’s Mick Schumacher, but team principal Günther Steiner said last week that Brazilian reserves Pietro Fittipaldi would receive a “first call”.
Fittipaldi replaced Romain Grosjean for the 2020 Sahir and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after the Frenchman’s fiery crash.
“The Haas F1 team has taken the decision to immediately terminate the title partnership with Uralkali and the contract of pilot Nikita Mazepin,” the team 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.”
Mazepin’s future already looked uncertain after Haas removed the logo of Russian potash producer Uralkali from their car on the final day of testing in Barcelona last week following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Uralkali is owned by Mazepin’s father, the oligarch Dmitry, and the 23-year-old’s place on the team is guaranteed by a sponsorship deal.
Mazepin made his debut last season in the rookies with Schumacher.
Get the latest updates in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict live on The Post.
By decision of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, the only Russian on the starting grid was allowed to race in a neutral capacity.
But his participation in individual racing would be in question, especially after Motorsport UK banned Russian and Belarusian license holders from racing in the country, raising the possibility that other national motorsport federations would do the same.
Hass driver Nikita Mazepin drives his car during pre-season Formula 1 testing at the Catalunya race track in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain February 25, 2022. Photo by AP/Joan Monfort
Last year, Haas finished bottom of the constructors’ standings and became the only team to score no points after deciding to forgo development of their car to focus on their 2022 rival, developed under this year’s drastically revised rules.
But Mazepin’s performances were also not impressive: the Russian lost to teammate Schumacher.
His dismissal from Haas could mean the end of his career.
The Haas F1 team also severed relations with the sponsor Uralkali, owned by Nikita Mazepin’s father Dmitry. Photo by AP/Darko Bandic
On Thursday, Formula 1 said it would no longer race in Russia following the termination of its contract for the Russian Grand Prix, which originally expired in 2025.
The sport has already canceled its 2022 race in the country.
The final pre-season tests of Formula 1 will be held in Bahrain from 10 to 12 March. The season in the island kingdom starts on March 20.