Barcelona (AP) – Formula 1 will not hold the Grand Prix in Russia this year after the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Mick Schumacher’s Haas team, co-financed from Russia, could even turn away from its main Russian sponsor Uralkali and also end cooperation with the second driver Nikita Masepin. “We have to clarify all the legal issues, which I can only talk about next week,” said Haas team boss Günther Steiner on the sidelines of the test drives in Barcelona. In general, he is certain: “A solution must be found.”
“Impossible” to drive the Russian Grand Prix
Formula 1 has already found one for itself. The premier class of motorsport will not drive the Grand Prix in Sochi, which is actually scheduled for September 25th. It is “impossible” to hold the Russian Grand Prix “under the current circumstances,” it said in a statement.
The decision was made after a meeting on Thursday evening between Formula 1, the world motorsport association Fia and the teams. All relevant interest groups were included in the process. “We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and dismay and hope that the current situation will be resolved quickly and peacefully,” it said.
The premier class of motorsport last forgone a race in 2011 for political reasons. At the time, Bahrain was not driven after political unrest, after people had also died there.
Haas-Auto sponsor logo removed
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Sochi organizer Rosgonki, meanwhile, wrote to ticket buyers with surprising wording: “The tickets purchased will not be canceled – there is no need to request a refund as it is still possible for the round to take place and be held as planned.”
Haas has long since made its mark. The sponsor logo of Russian mining company Uralkali was removed for the third and final day of testing. “As a team, we made the right decision at that moment, also to send a signal to everyone,” explained Steiner, referring to the discussions with the other team partners.
Haas examines legal exit strategies. Against the background of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, can there be a future with financier Uralkali, where Nikita Masepin’s father Dmitri is the majority owner? And what about the future of the 22-year-old as Schumacher’s stable rival? “Hopefully he can keep his head up,” Steiner said of his second pilot.
Haas team in a special area of tension
Nikita Masepin spoke on social media of a difficult time “and I have no control over a lot of what is said and done. I focus on what I can control”. It’s hard work and the Haas Formula 1 team.
Haas is in a special area of tension – also because it is a US team. According to Steiner, owner Gene Haas is behind the decision to remove the Uralkali lettering from the car. There was no pressure from the US government to end cooperation with Uralkali or Dmitri Masepin. “We weren’t in contact with the government at all,” Steiner explained.
And what is Formula 1 doing with the gap in the racing calendar, which was originally extended to 23 Grand Prix? Proven replacement candidates like Istanbul are mentioned. Germany is also an experienced location for Formula 1. At the Hockenheimring, for example, the decision not to drive in Russia is absolutely right. Time will tell how the racing calendar will develop.