A day after the war broke out in Ukraine, Nikita Masepin got in touch. It’s a difficult time, he wrote on social networks. Much of what is done and said is out of his control. He is focused on what he can influence by working hard and doing his best for the Haas Formula 1 team. There was still some hope of just being able to continue – despite the consequences that Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression also has on motorsport. But it was clear early on that this would be difficult for Masepin. It is now clear: the Russian’s Formula 1 career is over after one season, at least for the time being. Mick Schumacher will get a new teammate.
And so, a week after his first speech, Masepin’s tone changed. He can understand the difficulties, but “I am very disappointed to hear that my Formula 1 contract has ended,” wrote the 23-year-old on Saturday. “The Fia’s decision and my continued willingness to accept the proposed terms in order to proceed have been completely ignored.” There was talk of a “unilateral step”. Haas previously announced in the morning that the team would be parting ways with its main Russian sponsor Uralkali and Masepin with immediate effect.
The constellation was explosive, Haas was particularly in focus on this political issue: Gene Haas’ small racing team from the US state of North Carolina can make good use of the millions from Uralkali. The majority shareholder of the Uralchem Integrated Chemicals Company is Dimitri Masepin – Nikita’s father. He is said to have good relations with Putin, and the billionaire is said to have attended an oligarch meeting with Russia’s president in the Kremlin after the war broke out.
On the last day of the tests in Barcelona, the Haas cars drive without Uralkali lettering and are completely white
It is obvious that Haas’ decision to rely on Masepin alongside Schumacher from the 2021 season followed financial interests. Before his promotion to Formula 1, Masepin finished fifth in the Formula 2 junior series, which Schumacher won in 2020. So other talents would definitely have come into question. A commitment from Nikita brought the necessary funds, that of Mick – son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher – a lot of attention. A combination that could no longer be sustained.
No more Russian colors, no more Uralkali ads: the Haas Formula 1 car testing in Barcelona, pictured on February 25, a day after Russian troops invaded Ukraine.
(Photo: Florent Gooden/imago)
Formula 1, which is often reserved on political issues, initially said last week that events in Ukraine would be observed. While the Russian invasion began in the last week of February, the teams in Barcelona were testing for the new season. Sebastian Vettel already said here that he had made his decision and will not drive in Russia: “I am very sorry for the innocent people who lose their lives and are killed for stupid reasons and because of a strange and crazy leadership.” Schumacher said what was happening in Ukraine was “terrible in many ways” and that he had not spoken to Masepin about it.
After parting ways with the fertilizer empire, Haas has no reason to stick with Nikita Masepin
The racing series then canceled the Russian Grand Prix planned for September 25th in Sochi, before the world association Fia under the new President Mohammed Ben Sulayem decided on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian drivers would continue, but as neutral athletes under “Fia flag” – and have to sign a code of conduct. This included a clear distancing from the Russian attack.
The British Automobile Association issued a complete ban on participation for teams, drivers and officials from Russia and Belarus on Wednesday. And on the final day of the Barcelona tests, Haas had sent his cars onto the track without Uralkali lettering, without the Russian white-blue-red color combination. The sponsor’s logo was nowhere else to be seen on February 25 either. “A message for everyone,” said team manager Günther Steiner.
The separation dragged on for one reason in particular: “We have to clarify all legal issues that I can’t talk about in the coming week,” Steiner said. And: “Not everything depends on us. Governments are involved.” The upcoming year is “financially secure” despite the loss of the main sponsor funds. After the decision was made not to continue working with the fertilizer empire, there was no longer any reason to hold on to the driver. Masepin seemed overwhelmed and frustrated in his first year in the premier class, even before his first start he outraged with a sexist video. He attracted attention with some rude maneuvers and an unpredictable driving style. He almost always drove slower than Schumacher.
The urgent question now is who will follow Nikita Masepin. Pietro Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi and test and reserve driver at Haas since 2019, is considered the most promising candidate. The 25-year-old US-Brazilian was already driving in Formula 1 when he replaced Romain Grosjean in Sachir and Abu Dhabi in December 2020, who had previously had a serious accident. The final test drives will take place in Bahrain from March 10th to 12th, before the new season begins here on March 20th. So the newcomer doesn’t have much time to get used to it.