Mazepin didn’t know of Haas F1 sacking before public announcement

Haas announced it had axed Mazepin and terminated its sponsorship deal with Uralkali on Saturday morning.

The decision came after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Uralkali having links to president Vladimir Putin. 

Haas decided to run its car in a plain white livery on the final day of the Barcelona test, removing the Russian colour scheme and Uralkali logos.

Before Mazepin spoke to the media on Wednesday, Uralkali released a statement saying it wants “immediate reimbursement” from Haas.

Mazepin admitted he was “very disappointed” over how Haas handled his dismissal. 

“I was very disappointed at the way it was handled, I have been worried about my future ever since I left Barcelona,” Mazepin said. “I have been told if the FIA or the governing body allows me to compete on their rules, and I agree to them, there will be no action to remove me from the seat because there is no legal obligation or reason.

“In my previous relations with Guenther, which I rated a very good one and I respected him as a man, very much so, I have been used to believe 101% in his words, he is a Team Principal and if he says something it normally, always, happens.  But I have not heard any information from the team ever since this happened and I learned about the firing of me the same time as it had been released to the press. 

“Like I say, I like to think I’m a young man at 23, I was not ready for it. I didn’t receive any hint or any support to say this is the decision we’ve taken, it’ll go live in 15 minutes, just be ready for it. I had messages from people and learned at the same time as you guys did.”

The Russian driver still has his sights set on a future in F1 but doesn’t want to return to Haas.

“I absolutely do not see F1 as a closed chapter for me,” he added. “I’m going to stay in race condition and I will be ready to take on an opportunity if it comes, and at the moment I’m only sighting F1 and no other categories.

“It’s good to keep all options available, but I definitely don’t want to go back to a place which doesn’t want me, and as you know, F1 is a dangerous sport and you have to rely on and believe in the team you’re working with, it’s a question of safety, and I think it is fair to say I do not have that trust in them.”