The outburst of the Russian driver, excluded from the US team after the invasion of Russia in Ukraine: “The FIA had allowed me to race without a flag and I accepted it, the team prevented me from doing so. Will I sue? Foundation to help athletes discriminated against for political or passport reasons ”
Giusto Ferronato
09 March
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“It is one of the most painful moments of my life, this war affects people on both sides with which I have ties, my fate is less important. I can only say that the decision to quit was one-sided by Haas and legally unjustified. I will open a Foundation that helps all athletes who are hindered in the development of their career for political or passport reasons “. Nikita Mazepin has vented to the international press and thus recounted the breakdown of the contract with Haas, which will prevent him from racing the F1 World Championship at the gates.
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cause on the table
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The invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the consequent international sanctions against Russian companies has prompted the US team for which it runs to interrupt the collaboration, starting with the cut of the sponsor of his father’s company, Uralkali, which financed his career in F1. The FIA had imposed as a sanction that the drivers of Russia and Belarus ran without flags, but were not excluded from the various championships, only England has introduced a specific ban on racing for them on English territory. But Haas went further and Mazepin didn’t hide all his disappointment today. “It is something that took place in two phases, in the first I knew that the FIA would allow me to race as a driver without a flag – said Mazepin – I had accepted it. But I didn’t have time because I got the Haas letter that unilaterally fired me. There is no legal reason behind this decision, the FIA had given me permission to compete. If I sue Haas? Each option is on the table and we will evaluate it. But basically it makes no sense to deal with someone who doesn’t want you “. Have you thought about trying to run in other categories now? “No, my thoughts were exclusively related to Formula 1, I don’t see myself in other categories. I understand the difficulty of the moment and I also understand that an F1 driver has enormous global exposure. But I didn’t imagine it could get to this point, I was ready for the season and already focused on Bahrain ”.
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reimbursement and protection
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Some sports federations have made different decisions in relation to the war in Ukraine. Russian teams have been banned from FIFA and Uefa football competitions, rugby, skiing, ice skating, basketball and other disciplines. Other sports allowed Russian athletes to continue competing as neutral participants, without national flags and symbols. The Uralkali of Mazepin’s father, Dmitry, has already announced that it has asked Haas for the reimbursement of the sponsorship already paid for 2022 and is ready to legally defend itself. “We intend to protect our interests in line with the law and reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings, seek damages and reimbursement of the significant amounts that Uralkali has paid for the 2022 Formula 1 season.”
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the foundation
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Mazepin also confirmed that, in the light of what happened, he intends to create a Foundation that under the slogan “We Compete As One” supports athletes who are discriminated against for political reasons or simply for their passport. “The reimbursement of Haas and the remaining part of the financing of the sponsor of Uralkali for 2022 – reads the note from the sponsor – will be used to finance this Foundation”. Nikita confirms: “I don’t think we can use sport as a public square for political claims, is this the sport we want? We will support these athletes who cannot compete or who are deprived of the opportunity to compete, out of respect for the sacrifices they have made and against the consequences related to an exclusion for which they are not responsible, our door is open to all. I had accepted to run without a flag, my team just prevented me from doing so ”.
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