F1: Nikita Mazepin Fires Shots At Haas After Being Fired – ‘I Deserved More Support”

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Nikita Mazepin has fired shots at the Haas team as after they made the move of “firing him” just as the 2022 F1 season was about to begin.

Mazepin was ready to begin testing in Bahrain, but as the Russian invasion of Ukraine put more pressure on the team to distance itself from its Russian title sponsor, Uralkali, and it’s Russian driver, its no surprise that both have had their contracts terminated. Now, it’s been revealed that Kevin Magnussen has replaced the driver, but Mazepin isn’t happy about how this played out.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, he told the press his feelings on the matter:

“First of all, I want to say that I understand that the world is not like it was two weeks ago. It was an extremely painful time for both you and me. People who are not here see it from a different angle. We in Russia and Ukraine see it’s on many other levels.

‘I was planning to start as a neutral athlete. The FIA allowed it. I had no problem with that, but the night before my contract was terminated, additional directives came out and as we started to analyse them, I got a message the next morning that the contract was cancelled. I was fired.

“I deserved more support from the team. I was relieved to see that the FIA allowed us to start in neutral colours. I was hoping to drive. Then everything changed and I lost the dream I had been working for for 18 years.

‘I heard about my Haas sacking, like everyone else, from the press. I didn’t deserve it.

‘I was very disappointed with how it played out. I hadn’t been worried since I left Barcelona.

‘Formula One is not a closed chapter for me. I will be ready to race in case there is an opportunity to return. I wish all the best to the drivers who will replace me. They have nothing to do with the existing situation.”

Alongside this, Uralkali is launching a legal battle. It released the following statement:

“Given the above, Uralkali intends to protect its interests in line with applicable legal procedures and reserves its rights to initiate judicial proceedings, claim damages and seek repayment of the significant amounts Uralkali had paid for the 2022 Formula One season.

“As most of the sponsorship funding for the 2022 season has already been transferred to Haas and given that the Team terminated the sponsorship agreement before the first race of the 2022 season, Haas has thus failed to perform its obligations to Uralkali for this year’s season.

“Uralkali shall request the immediate reimbursement of the amounts received by Haas.

“The refund from Haas and the remaining part of Uralkali’s sponsor financing for 2022 will be used to establish the We Compete As One athlete support foundation.”

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Alex Harrington

Alex started racing at a young age so certainly knows his way around a car and a track. He can just about put a sentence together too, which helps. He has a great interest in the latest models, but would throw all of his money at a rusty old French classic and a 300ZX. Contact: alex@grandtournation.com
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