The Formula 1 racing team separates from Mick Schumacher’s teammate. Masepin himself has now commented on Haas’ decision – and made an announcement.
The Ukraine war also has further consequences in Formula 1. Only a few days after the cancellation of the contract with the organizers of the Russian Grand Prix, the first team reacted and set an example. As expected, the Haas F1 Team has parted ways with its Russian driver Nikita Masepin, as well as terminating the contract with main sponsor and financier, the mining company Uralkali. The racing team explained this early on Saturday.
Mick Schumacher’s teammate has now commented on the decision. He was “very disappointed,” wrote the 23-year-old on Instagram. He would understand the current situation, but the racing team “completely ignored the specifications of the FIA (the International Automobile Association, editor’s note) and my will to accept the proposed conditions”. The FIA said on Friday that all Russian or Belarusian drivers would have to sign a declaration of commitment condemning Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The use of Russian symbols would also have been forbidden, Masepin would have had to start under a neutral flag.
The 23-year-old thanked his fans. “I hope that we can all be together again in better times,” he continued – and announced: “I will have more to say in the coming days.” In his first Formula 1 year 2021, Masepin was regularly at a disadvantage in the team-internal duel with Schumacher, and with his often reckless driving style he also antagonized considerable parts of the paddock.