Haas F1 team finally revealed their 2021 challenger, VF-21, and fans have already started showing a massive opposition towards the livery.
The cars, unexpectedly, did not sport their classic color combination of Red, White, and Grey. Instead, with Nikita Mazepin’s entry into the team, Russian Potash fertilizer producers, Uralkali, made their way into the American team as the title sponsors.
What’s more, the car is looking more like the mix of the Russian flag, with white as the primary color while Red and Blue running along the sides of the cars and over the front wing as well. And this led to an outburst from the fans on social media.
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Looking at how things are unfolding at Haas, Mazepin might have a rather tough year ahead, as fans will not like watching the Russian remain a part of the grid despite their constant opposing.
But before that, it is possible one might wonder, what’s wrong with livery? Why is it receiving so much hatred? Well, it all travels down to the root cause of this problem, Nikita Mazepin.
Mazepin’s social media post, the starting point to the outburst
The Russian has been feeling the heat from the F1 fandom, after posting a controversial video on social media last year. Following the immense backfire from the followers, the recently promoted F1 driver took it off the internet. But it was a bit too late.
Fans joined hands in raising their voice against letting Mazepin race in Formula 1, as his actions were against both the sport’s and FIA’s ethics. However, Haas prevented the issue from escalating further, as they dealt with it internally.
Mazepin did apologize to everyone for his actions, but it turned out worthless. The hatred was still very much alive. Furthermore, just as the resentment kept rising, the American team clarified that Mazepin would stay despite his ugly off-track actions.
And now, amid the disgust for the Russian driver, the fact that the new Haas car, too, is looking like his home country’s flag despite being registered under the American flag has induced massive sparks on social media.
And as always, we’ve kept aside quite a few of the tweets for the readers. Take a look at some reactions to the recently revealed Haas’ VF-21.
Twitter reactions to Haas VF-21
Good luck this season, ԠЇҪҚ SҪҤЏԠДҪҤЭЯ. (In Russia, Car drives you) pic.twitter.com/FgGfmyMXSj
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) March 4, 2021
There is still a US flag on the VF-21 – on the sidepod beneath the 'H'. 1&1, a German telecommunications company, has taken on prominent sponsorship, with Mick Schumacher becoming a brand ambassador. pic.twitter.com/mFMDkujRGW
— Phillip Horton (@PHortonF1) March 4, 2021
Imagine explaining to someone who doesn't watch F1 that this is the American team pic.twitter.com/urvKe7nwtm
— Tom Bellingham (@TommyWTF1) March 4, 2021
Despite a ban on the use of the Russian flag in sporting competitions, the colours of the flag are permitted. Haas have confirmed the livery has been approved by the FIA. pic.twitter.com/P49Yl9fLSE
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) March 4, 2021
Numbers can't express my horror after looking at Haas's new 2021 challenger 😭
— Vib (@Vibrrbrr) March 4, 2021
with uralkali as haas title sponsor this means mazepin surely gonna stay there for more than just one season unfortunately
— Pajelul 🏎 (@Pajelul) March 4, 2021
Spot the 🇺🇸 flag 🧐👇 pic.twitter.com/0UhKAlWid4
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) March 4, 2021
“so what did you like about haas’ 2021 livery?”
me: pic.twitter.com/VyKheObFi5— mary (@ricsgasly) March 4, 2021
HAAS couldn’t have made a more Russian livery 😂 pic.twitter.com/xm6HcwBIP0
— Shaaaarl (@chalelerc_) March 4, 2021
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The new Haas livery has been released…
Surprised Gene Haas went along with this – USA and Russia have a well documented history.
Appreciate this is centred around Mazepin, but if you start allowing your drivers take control like this, you’re in huge trouble.#Haas #HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/FRk6LK2at7
— George Morgan (@CRGGeo) March 4, 2021
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What do you think to the very Russian Haas F1 car? #F1 pic.twitter.com/Qx2D7pCvVO
— Motorsport Week (@MotorsportWeek) March 4, 2021