Russia carried out an important military movement on Ukraine on Thursday after months of growing tensions, a situation that provoked the reaction of the international community.
Formula 1 bosses met later that day in Barcelona to discuss plans for the Russian Grand Prix in September, with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel defending that he will not race there.
The American-owned Haas team is sponsored by the Russian company Uralkali , and has Russian driver Nikita Mazepin in one of its cars. Those from Kannapolis usually use a red, white and blue decoration, which resembles the Russian flag, since last season, when the CAS prohibited athletes from that country from wearing that badge for two years.
The team released a statement saying it would complete the final day of testing in Barcelona without the Uralkali company, so it will be running in white livery.
” Haas will present its VF-22 in white livery, without the Uralkali branding, for the third and final day of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Friday, February 25,” the group said in the document.
” Nikita Mazepin will drive as planned in the morning session, with Mick Schumacher taking over in the afternoon. No further comment on team partner agreements will be made at this time,” they added.
Earlier in the day, both Mazepin and team principal Gunther Steiner have canceled their press engagements.
The Russian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in Sochi on September 25. UEFA is expected to announce tomorrow that it will change the venue of the Champions League final to Saint Petersburg, and there are doubts about the World Cup qualifiers, which are scheduled to take place in Russia in the near future.
F1 has been visiting Russia since 2014, and President Vladimir Putin has appeared at some of the first editions to hand out trophies on the podium.
Vettel commented at the press conference that although the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) has yet to discuss the decision to race in Sochi, it has been made.
“My opinion is that I should not go, I will not go, I think it is not right to race in that country. I feel sorry for the innocent people who are losing their lives, being killed for stupid reasons under very strange and crazy leadership, “explained the German.
“I’m sure it’s something we’ll talk about, but like I said, as GPDA we haven’t met yet, but I’m surprised and sad to see what’s going on. We’ll see from now on, but my decision is already made.” settled.
