Ukraine’s motor racing federation has asked Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, to ban all Russian and Belarusian drivers amid the ongoing war in its country.
If the request is accepted, it would prevent Russian driver Nikita Mazepin from racing for Haas in F1.
Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine has caused widespread condemnation and sanctions from world leaders.
Mazepin’s future is already in doubt as a result of that conflict, with Haas set to decide over the coming days what to do with its title sponsor Uralkali, owned by Mazepin’s father, Dmitry.
Mazepin’s contract to race with the team is part of that deal.
Haas removed the Uralkali logo and colours from its car for the final day of preseason testing and also removed all related signage from its motorhome.
Dmitry Mazepin and Uralkali are not currently part of the international sanctions that have been imposed on Russia, but it is expected Haas will cut the deal if it is able to.
Haas boss Guenther Steiner insisted last week that doing so would not financially ruin the team.
After the conflict started last week, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem wrote to the Federation Automobile D’Ukraine (FAU) to assure his and the governing body’s full support.
The FAU replied to his letter with the following requests of the FIA:
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prohibit the use of state symbols of the aggressor countries of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus during the FIA and FIA-sanctioned competitions;
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prohibit the holding of FIA competitions and authorized FIA competitions on the territory of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus;
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prohibit RAF and RAF-sanctioned competitions in the occupied territories of Ukraine;
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to exclude from the FIA all members from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus;
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to exclude from the FIA commissions all persons representing organizations from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus;
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Prohibit holders of all licenses issued by the RAF and BAF from competitions outside the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
Later the same day, the International Olympic Committee Executive Board (IOC EB) issued a statement recommending international sports federations “not invite or allow the participation of Russian or Belarusian athletes and officials at international competitions”. It added that where that was not possible due to organisational or legal reasons, athletes should not take part in sporting events under the name of Russia or Belarus and compete as neutral athletes.
Mazepin is the only driver in F1 who would be affected by such a ban. The last Russian driver in F1, Daniil Kvyat, was a reserve driver for Alpine last year but is now contracted to G-Drive for this year’s World Endurance Championship.
F1 has already confirmed the Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for Sept. 25, will not take place this year.
Source: www.espn.com