As the world motorsport association FIA announced on Friday (March 4th, 2022), Russian and Belarusian drivers have to sign a declaration of commitment. According to them, they should recognize the decisions of the World Council of March 1, which condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine with the support of Belarus. This order applies “until further notice”.
Masepin is to sign a declaration on the Ukraine war
Masepin would also be prohibited from using Russian symbols in any form. In addition, he should not express himself in a way that contradicts the interests of the Fia. “In particular, I will not express any (direct or indirect) support for Russian and/or Belarusian activities in relation to Ukraine“, was quoted from the statement that Masepin is supposed to sign as a Russian driver. In addition, the world motorsport association left further steps open against the background of the Ukraine war.
On Tuesday, the FIA announced that it would not exclude the Russian pilot from the races of the coming season – and with this decision also went against the big line in world sport.
Speculations about replacement for Masepin at Haas
In the event that Haas continues to employ him, Masepin may only start as a neutral athlete anyway. However, the television broadcaster Sky reported on Thursday that the US team was said to have separated from the 23-year-old. There was no confirmation at first. Allegedly, the American-Brazilian backup driver Pietro Fittipaldi will replace the Moscow.
Speculations about possible separation from sponsor Uralkali
Haas team boss Günther Steiner left open the future of Masepin as a driver and the Russian mining company Uralkali as a lender last week.
Source: dpa