Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, Haas announced it would be removing the branding of title sponsor Uralkali from its car ahead of the final day of testing in Barcelona. The team’s livery typically resembled the colours of the Russian flag, but was replaced with an all-white design on Friday.
Uralkali is co-owned by Mazepin’s father, Dmitry, and has backed his racing career through to F1. The Russian company has served as Haas’s title sponsor since Mazepin joined the team in 2021.
Mazepin took part in the morning session as planned on Friday, but team boss Steiner confirmed in a press call that his future “needs to be resolved”. The team is set to review its relationship with Uralkali next week amid the ongoing crisis.
Speaking to US journalist Bob Varsha for Speed City Broadcasting, Steiner said that if Mazepin was unable to drive, the team would turn to reserve driver Fittipaldi to step in.
“If Nikita couldn’t drive for one or another reason,…
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