North Carolina Based Russian Race Car Driver Cut From Team Amid Ukraine Conflict

NORTH CAROLINA — Russian Nikita Mazepin no longer drives for Haas as a result of his native country's invasion of neighboring Ukraine, according to the race team, which made the announcement over the weekend.

“As with the rest of the Formula 1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict,” Haas said in a statement. "Haas F1 team has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership with Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin."

Just one week ago, Formula One terminated its contract with Russia for its annual Grand Prix in Sochi that had been slated to take place through at least 2025 there.

Mazepin disagreed with the decision to cut him from the Haas racing team, saying he had agreed with the FIA's mandate that drivers "acknowledge the strong commitment made by the FIA to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine." The FIA — Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile — also mandated that drivers would not be allowed to race under the Russian flag. The Uralkali sponsorship had also already been struck from Mazepin's car before his termination.

“I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated. While I understand the difficulties, the ruling from the FIA plus my ongoing willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored and no process was followed in this unilateral step," said Mazepin. "To those who have tried to understand, my eternal thanks. I have treasured my time in F1 and genuinely hope we all be together again in better times. I will have more to say in the coming days.”

According to ESPN, Mazepin's father has close ties with Vladimir Putin.

Mazepin is expected to give a news conference Wednesday to discuss his termination from Haas, according to Racing News 365.

He almost lost his ride in 2020 after a video surfaced that appeared to show the driver sexually harassing a woman, according to NBC Sports.

At that time, Haas condemned the video. “Haas F1 Team does not condone the behavior of Nikita Mazepin in the video recently posted on his social media. Additionally, the very fact that the video was posted on social media is also abhorrent to Haas F1 Team," it said in a statement two years ago.

Mazepin apologized. "I have to hold myself to a higher standard as a Formula 1 driver and I acknowledge I have let myself and many people down. I promise I will learn from this," he said in part.