Haas announced on Thursday night that it would complete the final day of F1 testing in Barcelona without Uralkali sponsorship or colours, referring to the Russian flag. This has left the future of the agreement and also that of the pilot Nikita Mazepin up in the air.
Team principal Gunther Steiner made his first media appearance since the decision was made on Friday, explaining that a conclusive legal decision would be reached next week.
“We withdrew it yesterday, we have to solve the whole legal issue, which I can’t talk about yet, next week it will be seen,” Steiner said.
“For now, we made the decision yesterday with our team partners. This is what we are going to do and we have to work on the rest next week.”
The warlike nature has immediately influenced the F1 calendar, which initially expected to contest the Russian Grand Prix. Now the Russian test remains in doubt, prompting immediate talks between F1 officials and team bosses.
In a statement issued this Friday, the category confirmed that it would be impossible to hold a race in Sochi under “current circumstances”, and that they are awaiting developments. Some drivers and teams have already spoken out on the subject, explaining that they did not see it as feasible to compete there in September.
Steiner said that the decision to withdraw Uralkali’s sponsorship and colors had the full support of team owner Gene Haas , and that it was “the right decision”.
“There is no setback for the competition side of this, none at all,” the Italian said. “We just have to review the trade issues. As I’ve said before, we’ll do that in the next few weeks.”
Asked by Motorsport.com about the financial headache the potential loss of its title sponsor would cause the team, Steiner said “financially, we are fine”. He also confirmed that the sanctions issued so far by the United States, the United Kingdom and the EU have not affected the whole.
“It has no [impact] on the team, how we’re running it or how we’re doing it, how we plan this season,” Steiner said.
“There are more ways to get funding. There is no problem with that,” he added.
Uralkali is co-owned by Mazepin’s father, Dmitry , and has supported the Russian driver throughout his racing career.
Mazepin continued to test the Haas VF-22 car on Friday morning in Barcelona, but was pulled from the planned F1 lunchtime press conference. His media engagements on Thursday were also cancelled.
Steiner acknowledged that Mazepin’s future with the team “has to be worked out” as there are bigger factors at play, such as government involvement.
“Not everything depends on us here, on what is happening,” said the director of Haas. “There are governments involved and I have no power over them. We also have to see the situation, how it develops in Ukraine.”
