Haas F1 on Mazepin's future: 'This needs to be resolved'

General

25 February at 11:32
Last update 25 February at 13:22
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  • GPblog.com

In the coming days it will become clear whether Haas will continue with Uralkali, Guenther Steiner indicated Friday afternoon. If the Russian sponsor leaves, it will fortunately not mean the end of Haas in Formula 1. Furthermore, team boss Steiner says that the future of Nikita Mazepin 'is not guaranteed'.

Of course, it has everything to do with the fact that Russia has invaded neighboring Ukraine. Haas is taking its measures, and with Uralkali's departure, millions would be lost. "But the team is not affected by this," says Steiner in conversation with Andrew Benson. "I spoke to them yesterday and told them there is nothing to worry about. We took the right decision to send a message to everyone."

In any case, the legal side of the story will be looked at next week. It therefore seems that it will be some time before ties can be officially severed.

Exit Mazepin?

Furthermore, Steiner also does not know if Mazepin will stay on as a driver. The 22-year-old driver is Russian and so it is "not guaranteed" that Mazepin will continue to drive for Haas F1. "It needs to be resolved. There are governments involved and I have no power over them and we need to see how the situation develops in Ukraine.”

Uralkali is one of the bigger sponsors behind Mazepin and so if that support is lost, it is not a given for Haas to allow Mazepin to stay either. We may not say it out loud, but it's actually true: Mazepin only drives because of the money he brings to the American formation.