Haas F1 Team terminates Uralkali & Mazepin contracts
Mar.5 - The Haas F1 team today officially announced that they elected to terminate, both the title partnership deal with Uralkali and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin, with immediate effect.
The team statement of the American Formula One team also said they are shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and wish for a swift and peaceful end of the conflict.
Rumours about the ending of the contracts swirled around whole week. Mazepin drove a total of 21 GP races for Haas and retired 5 times (27,3%). His best finish was 14th at the 2021 Azerbaijan F1 GP.
Mazepin probably will be replaced by American driver Pietro Fittipaldi, who's the teams reserve driver and grandson of the two times F1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi (1972 & 1974).
Last season Fittipaldi almost took over the wheel of Mazepin's car in the famous last race of the 2021 season. Then the Russian driver could not drive the Haas due to a Covid infection.
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Pietro didn't race in 2021
correct, couple of opp's in 2020 to my recollection
They should have terminated Mazespin for his crappy driving and groping incidents, not because he happen to be the son of a Russion Ogliarch.
Best news possible. Now sell to Michael Andretti and get a real American team. It was shameful to have dirty Russians and Russian livery on HAAS car. Also the driver sucked.
Racist
Inevitable..... but, be careful what you wish for , Ferrari f1 been taking millions of $$ off Ruskie firm for yrs, so IF it happens those American sponsors better dig deep in there pockets
Good advice, tempering wishes is always good advice.There are US potential sponsors with international markets and bottomless pockets. Problem is that F1 has not proven itself to be that important in the US. Will that change? We'll see.
You raise a good question. How does the red team get away with Kaspersky $$$?
I think the contract ran out Dec 21 but that Kasper is now sponsoring Ferrari E sports team
…buying Internet security services from a Russian company…yes, that’s a good idea
hahaha Ah, the Italians. smh
Ever understood why anyone whould use Kasperksy... whats the point?
Even before the Ukraine invasion Haas had lost much of the US support because of the Russian livery and yet another no talent pay driver. Now we get young Fitti, a revered name in US racing. Problem is the car is still a turd and his results will probably reflect it. I'd love to be wrong on this one. At least the team will get cheers at COTA and Miami.
The new Haas car is a turd? Based on?
Unfortunately , "based on" fewest total laps and mediocre performance. Hopefully I am dead wrong but so far...turd. I will be the first one punching the air when MSC scores his first points but the first 3 days are not promising. Looks like another season of fighting over the scraps. :(
Mazepin was only tolerated because he came with Ukrali's cash. Now Haas can't be associated with Ukrali, there's no cash, so Mazepin isn't going to keep the job on merrit.
Why can't haas bring back Kevin magnuson he's no slouch and he's got experience that would be good for M. Schumacher. Just a thought..
Great idea. Plenty of good drivers out there that could help. BUT we have to understand that $$$ are an issue and Fitti is already on the payroll. Best for Haas to spend available $$$ on making the car competitive. MSC is capable of earning some point $$$ for the team.
Looking towards the future : right, I gotcha.
He's said no to an F1 return for merely making up numbers.
According to GH --“Pietro will definitely be in it, that’s what he’s for, he’s the test driver.
“I think we’d obviously like to get someone with a bit more actual experience.
“We just have to see what’s available.”
That has to be Mr Big hair himself then, if its f1 experience hes meaning