Confirmed: Nikita Mazepin losses Haas drive

It was confirmed yesterday (5/3/22) that Haas F1 Team has parted company with Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali, two weeks ahead of the opening round of the 2022 season in Bahrain, due to Russia invasion of Ukraine.

Mazepin’s position at Haas had been unclear throughout last week in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russian native Mazepin has been backed heavily by the Uralkali firm controlled by his father, Dmitry, who has had close ties with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

In a short statement issued Haas confirmed that it has severed ties with both Mazepin and Uralkali.

“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,” concluded a statement.

No word, who will replace Mazepin’s place at Haas this season. Reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi will do pre-season testing next week at Bahrain.

Early rumours for Mazepin’s replacement could be Pietro Fittipaldi, former Alfa Romeo F1 driver and Ferrari reverse driver Antonio Giovinazzi, Aston Martin reverse driver and former Renault driver Nico Hülkenberg, or Formula 2 Champion and Alpine reverse driver Oscar Piastri. If I was Haas I would go with Antonio Giovinazzi for the short term.

As for Nikita Mazepin the reason he lost his drive because it was out of his and the team control at the end of the day.