WADA investigates dubious 'Russian livery' of Haas

Haas surprised with their new livery during their car reveal yesterday. The VF-21 was dressed in a Russian livery, while Nikita Mazepin is not allowed to drive under that flag. The FIA approved it, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is investigating.

An American team with the colours of the Russian flag on the car. Many people were surprised by the new livery of Haas on Thursday, and maybe rightly so. Russian athletes are forbidden to race under the Russian flag, due to a doping suspension by the country itself.

Dubious livery of Haas

Haas itself came up with the explanation that this livery was already ready before the Russian flag was banned for sportsmen, but it remains remarkable. Sponsor Uralkai has the colours red and green, butespecially' for this livery, the logo was wrapped in red and blue. In addition, the Russian flag is clearly visible at several places in the livery.

This is against the grain of many people, because the rule around the punishment of Russian athletes states that there should be no image of the Russian flag, which includes clothing, equipment and personal items. The question is now whether equipment also includes the livery of the car.

WADA investigates Russian livery

''WADA is aware of this matter and is looking into it with the relevant authorities," a WADA spokesperson told Autosport.com. ''The team has clarified the livery with the FIA - the CAS decision does not prohibit the use of the colours of the Russian flag'', the FIA said.

Haas is not aware of any harm and assumes that the livery can be used during the Formula 1 season. ''Obviously, we cannot use the Russian flag as the Russian flag, but you can use colours on a car. In the end, it's the athlete which cannot display the Russian flag and not the team. The team is an American team'', concludes Günther Steiner.