Haas sack Nikita Mazepin, end deal with Russian company

Russian driver Nikita Mazepin has been sacked by the Haas team as a result of his country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The US-based outfit have also terminated the contract of their title sponsor, the Russian chemicals company Uralkali.

Uralkali is part-owned by Mazepin’s billionaire father Dmitry, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, through his company Uralchem.

Haas said news on Mazepin’s replacement was expected early next week.

Mazepin said he was “disappointed” to have his contract terminated and that his “willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored”.