Feb.24 - Nikita Mazepin has played down the impact that the new Russia-Ukraine conflict could have on Formula 1.

We reported earlier that F1 authorities were "monitoring" the situation, which has only now escalated with reports of a full-scale invasion by Russian forces.

Like Russian GP host Sochi, Ukraine is situated close to the Black Sea, raising the prospect that Mazepin's home grand prix may have to be cancelled.

"From what I understand from Formula 1, the race continues as usual and you will definitely see me there," said the 22-year-old Russian, who drives for Haas.

As for Mazepin's new Haas car for 2022, he ran into reliability trouble as the official Barcelona test kicked off on Wednesday.

"The cars are so on the edge of technology that reliability is sometimes a weak point," he also told the Russian publication Sport-Express.

"I hope that the performance will be better than last year and it seems to be the case. It's just the match between the real track and the simulator is not very good but I hope we will resolve everything quickly."

Mazepin struggled alongside fellow rookie teammate Mick Schumacher last year, and he was also weighed down by other off and on-track controversies.

"I need to improve in all areas," he acknowledged to Russian broadcaster Match TV, "become a better version of myself and keep working hard.

"I have already won races in Formula 3 and Formula 2 and I am ready to continue the same work so that one day I will try to succeed in Formula 1.

"For me, the main goal is to show results. How the audience reacts is not up to me. I want to deliver the first victory in Formula 1 for our country."


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31 F1 Fan comments on “Mazepin plays down Russia-Ukraine crisis impact on F1

        • Adrian Roscher

          "Unnecessarily hasty"? The war has begun, Russia clearly the aggressor and I suspect Mazepin Sr. will soon be on the list of Putin's mafia oligarchs subject to international sanctions, Uralkali's US assets frozen and Mazepin Jr's $$ pay packet frozen. From your name I'll make a wild guess you're in Finland or of Finish descent - does that not make you wonder where Russia will next extend it's revanchist militaristic greed?

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          • ReallyOldRacer

            Sanctions you mention already in place. The clock is ticking. Just remember these guys have $$$ stashed to soften the landing. Question is how much of the stash will be allocated to support jr's racing.

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  1. Adrian Roscher

    Sickening to see the Russian flag on a supposedly "American" F1 car, particularly today. What was disgusting a year ago is now treasonous. How about Haas replace the Russian $$ and driver with Andretti/Herta?

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    • ReallyOldRacer

      Adrian, IMO, that is quite probably the play if Michael really wants into F1. He already has a Dallara relationship and his dad has Ferrari ties. Question is if Mr. Haas wants to sell. The Russian lash-up with a US team is not FIA controlled, it's about F1 central and we all know that Liberty is hq'd Denver. So.....we'll see.

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        • ReallyOldRacer

          I think, Shrop', it will be more about business than politics. Haas Automation now has zero opportunity in Russia, Uralkali and it's principles are under sanction AND Mr. Mazepin is probably under a bit of financial pressure. Remember, Haas said at the outset F1 was about expanding his business. Both of them might be amenable to blowing town. I'm no expert, just my opinion.

          A hundred million here, a hundred million there, and pretty soon it's real money flushed down the toilet.

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          • Adrian Roscher

            Yes, I suspect Maz Sr. and Uralkali are already (or soon will be) on the list of sanctioned persons/entities and once that happens Haas risks substantial legal exposure (and let's not forget ole' Gene already did a stretch as a guest of the US government) continuing to do business with them and continuing to pay Maz Jr. Good riddance I say, they've been a constant embarrassment to patriotic US F1 fans like me for over a year now, ever since they put the friggin' Russian flag on their car. I suspect everyone else in F1 (maybe not Bottas, as he goes well there) will be well rid of the Sochi race as well as that little snot-nose, grabby, dirty driver and the dirty Russian money behind him. Don't let the civilized world's collective door hit you on the way out, I say!

          • shroppyfly

            Course you know who can sort this out don't you, that's right Mr Putin's old mate , the one and only Bernie E

            And if he doesn't sort it, tell Lewbaby to have another sulk, that's bound to work

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  2. shroppyfly

    As for not letting Russia use the markets...... there will always be countries that ARE WILLING, Switzerland for one i imagine, and in countries where shares can be shorted Russia will be raking it in, as Ror always says $$ Rule

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    • ReallyOldRacer

      Yep, spot on, Switzerland, Austria and Finland for the transactional affairs, several island nations for the $$$ storage with China and Sandland for the business workarounds. Of course our focus here is Haas F1, and a US team with Russian sponsorship seems doomed. We'll see.

      Our sport was much better, and less expensive, when it was Euro-centric with a couple of flyaways to the Americas. We don't need the politics and international intrigue. That has long been my only gripe with Bernie.

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  3. shroppyfly

    Seems Haas and Ruskie already getting the jitters

    BBC F1 page
    The Haas F1 team, who are sponsored by Russian firm Uralkali, have decided to drop the colours of the Russian flag from the livery of their car for the third day of pre-season testing and will run in plain white.

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    • ReallyOldRacer

      My guess is that they have bigger problems than the color of their car. If Michael truly wants in, here's his chance. Buy the team, bring in a US sponsor (and driver?) and let's go racing. Surely there is something in the sponsorship contract that allows them to bail on the Russian.

      Hey, this is the most interesting pre-season test period in years. lol

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      • shroppyfly

        Agreed, from a business point of view, it wont be cheaper than now, providing of course GH will sell?, Gene hasnt had the best of times in f1 , lets be honest , the Rich energy mess, the terrible car, and now a controversial sponsor, who they wont even run on the car.

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  4. John B

    How many Russian tanks run on Uralkali products?

    Time for FIA to show some balls and remove all traces of Russian participation from Formula One for life

    We in all good faith cannot countenance working alongside warmongers

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    • Adrian Roscher

      Agreed, but curious - does Uralkali also make diesel fuel? I'd thought they were a fertilizer and similar chemical company. No matter, as Mazepin Sr. is clearly one of Putin's mafia - you don't get to be billionaire in Putin's Russia without his permission and substantial beak-wetting, just like an old-fashioned Italian mafiosi.

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      • John B

        Are we so naive to think that billions are made from fertilizer only?

        What else is produced in their extensive factories 🏭

        We will never know

        Fertilizer grows crops, crops feed soldiers, soldiers drive tanks and kill people

        There is logic to my comments

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  5. shroppyfly

    Crops can make the raw materials needed to make petrol and diesel, ok diesel is satans fuel... but i ran citroen diesels for quite a few yrs on 80% cooking oil 20% diesel, zero emissions, saved a fortune lol

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    • ReallyOldRacer

      Can't believe that you admit to a relationship with Citroen. Have you no shame? A racing buddy's girlfriend owned a 2CV. What a hoot. Lapped Lime Rock one day full chat...it took over 3 minutes. lmao

      BTW, Russia is the 4th largest fertilizer producer in the world Lots of billions of $$$. Potash tycoon, who'd a thought?

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      • shroppyfly

        A Low point in my car career i admit, but watching people sniffing the sweet aroma of deep fried french fries, and looking confused esp in a traffic jam was funny , I am now though full rehabilitated into petrol, for the Americans too , Europe as a whole buys 40% of the gas it needs from Russia, so pretty obvious they wont be that hard on Putin, or hell just turn the taps off .

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