After Russia invaded Ukraine, Haas F1’s relationship with its Russian sponsor and driver was made untenable, according to the owner of the United States-based Formula One Team.
Gene Haas said that his team is financially sound despite Saturday’s decision to end ties with Russian driver Nikita Masepin and sponsor Uralkali. Dmitry Mazepin is Mazepin’s father and close ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“There was intense criticism of the invasion by Ukraine and it was just getting overwhelming. Haas stated that we can’t handle all that and that our other sponsors cannot deal with it. He spoke to The Associated Press at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s starting grid.
Haas Automation logos, which Haas established to make CNC machine tools, will be displayed on Haas’s two cars during the Bahrain F1 test. Haas stated that reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi would fill Mazepin’s seat in Bahrain but didn’t specify a permanent replacement.
Haas stated that they are currently looking at several candidates. He said that we will see who is available and what the requirements are. However, he expects to have someone by Wednesday. “Pietro will be there, that’s why he’s here, he’s the test drive.”
Fittipaldi, the grandson Emerson Fittipaldi, is the grandson and two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. He ran two races in 2020 for Haas as the replacement driver for Romain Grosjean. The 25-year old was born in Miami, and has dual citizenship in Brazil as well as the United States.
Haas stated that Fittipaldi would be driving the Bahrain car, but this does not mean that he will be a teammate with Mick Schumacher. Last season, Haas restructured his lineup to include rookies Schumacher and Mazepin.
The business plan of Haas allowed for a challenging 2021 season. Schumacher and Mazepin were always at the back of every lap on the track. However, the introduction of a new car this season and an improved engine could help the team be more competitive. Haas also believes that Schumacher, 22, can become a global star.
“I believe we are looking. Haas stated to the AP that he believes we would like someone with more experience. “We have to wait and see what is available.”
Haas also maintained that his CNC company was the main source of sponsorship for F1 teams and that Uralkali was “only the title sponsor” in 2021, when both F1 cars were branded with the colors of Russia’s flag. Last month, the Haas team had to scramble to get rid of Uralkali branding on its cars after Russia invaded Ukraine while F1 was in Barcelona.
After the second day of testing, Haas crew members saw removing the logos from the trucks. The cars were then left plain white for the final session. Haas stated that it was crucial to immediately remove branding from the trucks, even though the team was studying its contracts to determine its options.
“Haas was always the main sponsor. I don’t understand why people say it became a Russian team. Haas Automation was always there,” he stated.
Although he has thrown out Uralkali, he said that the team is fine. Haas is also the co-owner of a top NASCAR team along with Tony Stewart.
“We’re good. We’re fine. He said that although we would like more money, we are fine. “This only gives us a larger negative number.”
