Sacked Russian driver Nikita Mazepin insists he is not going to race underneath a impartial flag to assist safe a return to Formula 1.
American-owned F1 workforce Haas terminated Mazepin’s contract in March after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and in addition dropped Russian sponsors Uralkali from their automotive and workforce apparel.
The Russian fertiliser firm is part-owned by Mazepin’s father, oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, who’s an affiliate of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Mazepin was about to compete in his second season in Formula 1 earlier than he was sacked and the FIA have since introduced that Russian drivers can compete in FIA-sanctioned competitions in the event that they race underneath a impartial flag and distance themselves from Russia.
However, the 23-year-old advised R-sport information company that he’s unwilling to do that, leaving his profession shrouded in uncertainty.
‘People cannot be condemned,” he said. “We are athletes and everyone has their own choices, which must be respected.”
Junior Ferrari driver Robert Shwartzman and Konstantin Zhiltsov, a Dakar Rally driver, have indeed adopted a different flag in order to compete but Mazepin is dead set against such action.
Mazepin has been included in an EU sanctions list along with his father, Dmitry, who the European Union’s official journal described as a member of Putin’s closest circle.
“Zhiltsov is not the only one, Robert Shwartzman did the same – there is a question of personal considerations,” he added.
“Whether you want to give up your country for sport and it is more important for you or not, everyone chooses for himself. But I will not do it.”
In April, Italy seized €105million (£88m) price of property owned by Mazepin and his oligarch father as a part of broader efforts aimed toward penalising rich Russians linked to Putin after the invasion of Ukraine.
Mazepin was changed by Kevin Magnussen as Mick Schumacher’s teammate simply 9 days after Russia’s invasion and shortly after advised the BBC that “cancel culture against his country” was accountable for his dismissal.
“I don’t agree with being in the sanctions – I’ve said before I agree to fight it,” he stated.
“Perhaps now is not the right time. If you look at the whole situation that is happening against athletes in the general case, it’s cancel culture against my country.”
Mazepin – who scored no factors throughout his first season in Formula 1 – introduced in June {that a} private lawsuit towards Haas for alleged unpaid wages was in “full swing”, with hearings to be held in Switzerland within the coming months.
F1 did have the Russian Grand Prix on its authentic calendar for 2022 – with the race in Sochi set to be held on the finish of this week – however the Grand Prix’s contract was terminated shortly after the struggle started.
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk