Mazepin’s seat in increasing danger
Will Nikita Mazepin still be a driver at Haas in the coming weeks? The recent statements from various stakeholders certainly do not suggest so.
The Ukrainian-Russian conflict could have a lot of collateral consequences in every field, and the world of Formula 1 is obviously part of it.
While the holding of the Russian Grand Prix has been suspended to this day, the American team Haas has also parted ways with its Russian colors and its major sponsor Ural Kali. This company is co-owned by a certain Dmitry Mazepin, who was largely financing his son’s career.
The question now is whether Nikita will be kept behind the wheel of the Haas after his main asset has been taken away from him. And it’s safe to say that the recent statements are anything but reassuring for him.
Indeed, his team boss Günther Steiner has mentioned for the first time the possibility of replacing Mazepin with the team’s 3rd driver, Pietro Fittipaldi, in case the latter could not be introduced.
“If Nikita couldn’t drive for any reason, the first call would go to Pietro. He has been with us for a few years, and then we would see what we’ll do next,” Steiner said for the American media outlet Speed City Broadcasting.
« I mean that Pietro is still with us. In recent years, we needed a reserve driver, with Covid around, so he is still here. He knows the team, he knows the car to jump in from one day to the next. There is no one better than Pietro right now.
Steiner: « Regarding Mazepin’s future, not everything depends on us here. »
Steiner also stated that Haas and himself were obviously not the only decision-makers and that they were partly subject to government decisions.
Regarding Mazepin’s future, not everything depends on us here. There are governments involved and I have no power over them.
On his part, the Russian driver expressed himself to his fans through his Twitter account by stating that he was focusing as best as he could on what he could control.
To my fans and followers, it’s a difficult period and I don’t have much control over what is being said and done. I choose to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and giving my best for my team, Haas F1 Team. My sincere thanks for your understanding and support.
To my fans and followers – it’s a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done. I’m choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my best for my @HaasF1Team . My deepest thanks for your understanding and support. 🙏
— Nikita Mazepin (@nikita_mazepin) February 25, 2022
So will we see Mazepin back in the Haas? The evolution of the conflict’s situation is changing practically hour by hour, making it simply impossible to predict any situation.
As a reminder, the second round of Formula 1 preseason testing will take place in Bahrain from March 10th to March 12th.
