Russia’s Mazepin, fired by Haas, announces fund to help other excluded athletes

LONDON (Reuters): Russian driver Nikita Mazepin hit back at the US owned Haas Formula One team

Nikita Mazepin

on Wednesday for firing him after his country’s invasion of Ukraine and announced a foundation to support athletes unable to compete due to war or politics.

The 23-year-old told reporters in a video call from Moscow that the “We Compete as One” foundation would be funded by money paid by Uralkali, the Russian potash company owned by his billionaire father Dmitry, to Haas.

Uralkali said separately it had already paid most of the now-terminated 2022 title sponsorship to Haas and would be seeking immediate repayment while also reserving the right to claim damages.

No financial details were available and team title sponsorship contracts are confidential.

Mazepin said there had been no contact with his former bosses or former team mate Mick Schumacher, son of seven times world champion Michael.

“In situations like this you can see the true face of everybody around you,” said the Russian, who had several moments of tension with his team mate last year after being out-performed by the German.

Others, including Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, had sent “very simple” personal messages of support, he added.

“They know how important the sport is to them, to their lives. They supported me in feeling for me for losing that opportunity to compete,” Mazepin said. “Nothing political. Just personal, keep your head up.”

“It was just what I believe a good human being should do.” He did not discuss the war or politics.

Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, has said Russian and Belarusian drivers could still take part in competitions in a neutral capacity.

Mazepin said he had intended to do that, citing the example of tennis player Daniil Medvedev who has been allowed to continue playing, but not under the Russian flag.