Russian driver Nikita Mazepin saw his contract with Haas terminated earlier in the week in the aftermath of his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Although he believes that the Haas team’s actions were unfair, in stating that he was willing to compete under a neutral status, as the FIA had allowed, he has pledged to do everything possible to help those facing similar difficulties. yours.
In a video conference with the media from Moscow, Mazepin said that his foundation ‘We compete as one’ (We compete as one) will be financed with money from sponsor Uralkali, which was originally the one that had been earmarked for team sponsorship. Haas.
Uralkali herself, who disappeared from the American car on the last day of testing in Barcelona, announced that she would assess possible legal action against the team for an “unjustified unilateral choice to terminate the contract between the parties with immediate effect.”
“Haas’s decision was not based on any directive from the authority of the sport’s governing body, nor was it dictated by any sanction imposed on me, or my father or his company,” said the former Formula 1 driver. Of course, I don’t think this is fair.”
“But there is something more important here. I wonder if there is no place for neutrality in sport.”
“Does an athlete have the right not only to give his opinion, but also to keep his opinion out of the public space? Should an athlete be punished for it? And do we want sport to become another public square for protests and debate? political?”
“We all know of cases where one country refuses to compete with another in the Olympics because of political disagreements. In the 1980s, we saw a generation of athletes lose their dreams and the opportunity to compete at the highest level when countries They started boycotting each other.
“Is this where we want sport to be? Or is sport a way of bringing people together, even in the toughest times and especially the toughest times? My experience in these last few days has greatly influenced my way of thinking about these issues”.
Mazepin also explained that the foundation would help provide support, both financial and non-financial, to athletes unable to compete. This can include legal help as well as mental health supports.
“We all know that an athlete’s career is short and that it takes years of intense sacrifice to perform at the highest level. When that ultimate reward is taken away, it’s devastating. And no one ever wonders what happens next with these athletes. I’ll take care of it.” it,” added the pilot.
Mazepin hasn’t entirely given up on a possible return to F1 in the future, but says for now he will focus on the foundation rather than getting back behind the wheel.
“I don’t see F1 as a closed chapter at all for me,” he said. “I will continue to be fit to compete. And I will be ready to take an opportunity if it comes. And at the moment, I only have my sights set on F1 and no other category.”
“I do not plan to participate in different series and different championships. Now I will focus all my attention and time on working with this foundation that I have established.”
Likewise, the Russian revealed that he had received messages of support from several pilots regarding the situation in which he found himself.
“Actually I really appreciate the small number of drivers who have expressed it to me, for example Sergio [Perez] , Valtteri [Bottas] , Charles [Leclerc] and George [Russell] , they all contacted me.
“I would also like to add that I am grateful for their support, because in the long journey to F1, they have, every single one of them, been risking losing their seats, and they really support me at this time when I lost my dream, and I lost my seat.”
Mazepin did not want to comment on the issue of the war in Ukraine, but admitted that it is a “painful” moment for everyone.
“I want to say, first of all, I understand that the world is not what it was two weeks ago,” he said. “And I understand. For me, along with all of you here, I’m sure this has been an extremely painful time.”
“Those who don’t live in this part of the world, or weren’t born here, will only see part of it. Those of us in Russia or Ukraine see it on many more levels.”
“Like all of us, I have friends and family who, by force of fate, have found themselves on both sides of this conflict. What we are discussing today is important in its own way, but nothing compared to what is happening in the general view”.
