Haas F1 ends deal with Russian driver Mazepin

The Haas F1 team “has terminated its contract” with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali. The decision means no Russians are “signed up to drive” in F1 ahead of the new season. Mazepin "joined Haas" at the start of ‘21 as part of a sponsorship deal with Russian fertilizer company Uralkali, which is part-owned by his father Dmitry Mazepin. Dmitry was "one of the business leaders who met with” Russian President Vladimir Putin last week to "discuss sanctions placed on" the country. The Uralkali deal “helped Haas secure its finances” and resulted in a "title sponsorship agreement that saw the car painted in the colours of the Russian flag" (ESPN.com, 3/5).