Haas has cut ties with it’s Russian sponsor Uralkali and Russian driver Nikita Mazepin .
Dmitry Mazepin , who is a major share holder of Uralkali is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was one of the key business leaders who met Putin after the invasion started .
UUralkali signed a deal with Haas at the start of 2021, a deal which included Mazepin’s race seat.
After Haas has terminated it’s contract with Uralkali , the Russian company has demanded full reimbursement of their money .Uralkali believes the decision was unreasonable .The statement from Uralkali said , ” “The Company views the Team’s decision as unreasonable and believes that sports should always be free of politics and pressure from external factors.”
“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 1 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.”
Mazepin in a media session said that the amount from Haas and the remaining part of Uralkali’s sponsor financing for 2022 will be used to establish We Compete As One athlete support foundation to help athletes who have been blocked from competing for political reasons .
Mazepin said he was in no contact with former bosses at Haas or his former teammate . He further added that he had not given up his dream of competing in F1 and would stay in race ready condition . He has no plans to seek a license from another country .
Danish Driver kevin Magnussen has been confirmed as the replacement for Nikita Mazepin .
