Exiled Russian Driver Nikita Mazepin Makes Angst-Filled Plea to FIA Amid Bizarre Demand: “I Will Not Do This”

Nikita Mazepin was the first of this season’s controversies. Amidst the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a number of sportspersons were affected. Mazepin was one of them.

Although it has been a while since Haas parted ways with Mazepin and their Russian sponsors, Uralkali, new details have emerged regarding the same. Initially, the 23-year-old was to participate under a neutral flag. However, things went downhill as tensions between the two countries arose.

He has told that the FIA wanted him to denounce Russia if he was to race for Haas. He has told Ria Novosti, a Russian state-owned news agency, “I was one of the first to receive this document [denouncing Russia’s move] back in March. But I would really like athletes to have the opportunity to remain neutral”

The Moscow-born was not the only one asked to sign such a document. He says, “Zhiltsov is not the only one [to renounce Russian citizenship] – Shwartzman did the same [he renounced his Russian citizenship and now races under Israeli citizenship].”

“But it is a matter of personal considerations. Whether you want to give up your country for the sake of sport, everyone can choose for himself. But I will not do this.”

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Mazepin is not the first to accept the issue. Sergey Karjakin, a renowned chess player, was banned over his support for Russia. In tennis, a number of Russian and Belarusian players were banned from participating in this year’s edition of Wimbledon.

The legal issues between Haas and Nikita Mazepin

Mazepin has chosen to take a different route compared to his compatriots in F1. He has filed a suit against Haas for unpaid salary.

His termination from Haas had created a lot of discussion at the time. The driver had posted a message on Twitter, about how there were no considerations made by Haas while terminating the deal.

Since then, Uralkali, the company owned by Mazepin Sr., has filed a suit seeking $13 million as repayment for sponsorship already paid to Haas. Haas, on the other hand, has rejected the claim, and filed a countersuit for $8.6 million for “loss of profits”.

Nikita’s suit with Haas is different from the abovementioned suits. He is seeking money for ‘unpaid wages’ from Haas.

“My personal lawsuits are in full swing,” he told Match.TV. “We have already selected the jurisdiction – the place where the contract was signed, in Switzerland.”

“The lawyers have filled out all the paperwork and the lawsuit has been filed for review. If I’m summoned, I will take part, but I don’t think that will happen”

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Mazepin, by his own admission, would love to return to F1 but understands it’s a difficult prospect given the state of affairs and the narrative around the world. He has made it clear that he will not be forced to change his views by anyone.

The legal proceedings are due to begin soon. The results of the same might do little for Mazepin’s F1 future. However, this is a developing story and we shall know more only in the future.