Haas release Mazepin following Russian war with Ukraine

Haas has taken the difficult step of releasing Nikita Mazepin from his contract with the team in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The American outfit has also severed all ties with the Mazepin family given the close links of Mazepin's father Dmitry to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

It means the Uralkali branding, which was stripped from all areas of the team at the end of last month, will not return, nor will the blue and red striping on the livery given its association with the Russian flag.

Uralkali is a potash and fertiliser company owned by oligarch Dmitry Mazepin who used his wealth to leverage his son's route into F1 via sponsorship of Haas.

Following a variety of meetings over the past days to discuss the legal implications of removing the Mazepins from Haas, a team statement has confirmed the appropriate steps have been taken.

It read: "Haas F1 Team has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin.

"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."

The team is expected to make a decision on Mazepin's replacement next week, with Pietro Fittipaldi the clear favourite given team principal Guenther Steiner's concession the Brazilian would be the "first call" as reserve driver.

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