Controversial F1 driver's future in doubt amid Russia conflict

The Haas F1 team say the short-term future of Russian driver Nikita Mazepin 'needs to be resolved' as the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine continue to emerge.

Formula One has already taken the step of cancelling the Russian Grand Prix this year, in the wake of troops crossing the border into Ukraine.

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Fears of conflict in Eastern Europe had grown for months as Russian troops were amassed along the Ukranian border, with many nations imposing punishing sanctions on Russia in response.

The conflict has left Haas in an awkward position both legally and financially, with the US-owned team's Russian title sponsor Uralkali is owned by Mazepin's father Dmitry.

Dmitry Mazepin was one of 37 businessmen summoned to the Kremlin to discuss what impact economic sanctions from much of the western world would have on Russia in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

While no sanctions have been placed on Uralkali or its parent company directly, nor on Mazepin directly, there have been increased calls for restrictions on international bank payments originating from Russia, as well as a visa ban for Russian citizens.

Haas abandoned their red, white and blue livery reminiscent of the Russian flag and removed Uralkali logos from their car during pre-season testing in Spain this week in response to Russia's move on Ukraine.

Team principal Guenther Steiner said the team had a great deal that they would have to simply wait and see for, saying that up until now, other sanctions on Russia had not impacted the running of the team.

Steiner conceded it was likely that would change in the coming days.

“We have to sort out all the legal stuff, which I cannot speak about, next week. And everything you just said, we will work through it next week," he told The Race.

“We made the decision yesterday with our team partners that (removing Uralkali logos) is what we’re going to do.

“I need to work on the rest next week.”

Nikita Mazepin's F1 future uncertain amid potential Russia visa ban

A move to ban Russian citizens from obtaining visas would most likely rule Mazepin out of the 2022 season, with all but three countries on this season's calendar requiring Russian citizens to obtain a visa to enter.

Steiner also conceded that losing Mazepin was a genuine possibility, but one which could only be faced when such a ban was actually implemented.

"It needs to be resolved. Not everything depends on us here," Steiner said.

“There are governments involved, and I have no power over them.

“And I think we need to see also the situation, how it develops in Ukraine.”

Mazepin took to Twitter to say he would be focusing only on the upcoming F1 season, and that what was happening in Ukraine was beyond his control.

"To my fans and followers - it's a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done," he wrote.

"I'm choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my best for my team.

"My deepest thanks for your understanding and support."

Haas, one of the smaller teams of the F1 grid, have been heavily reliant on their title sponsor's backing to remain in Formula 1.

The team focused all of its resources in 2021 on developing their car for this season, making to upgrades to their dismal 2021 entry which didn't score a point.

The infusion of cash from Uralkali came with the caveat of giving Mazepin a seat, despite the 22-year-old registering only two wins in two seasons of Formula 2.

Fans were less than impressed with Mazepin's entry into F1's elite, which was marked by an ugly incident in which he had to apologise after a video of him appearing to grope a female companion went viral.

He didn't fare much better on track either, crashing at turn one in his debut at Bahrain, before going on to irritate many other drivers on the grid throughout the season with erratic driving as a backmarker.

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