F1

NIKITA MAZEPIN has been sacked by his Formula 1 team Haas.It was announced by the FIA earlier this week that the Russian driver would be able to race under a neutral flag this season following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Nikita Mazepin has been axed by F1 team HaasCredit: PA
Haas have also ended its partnership with Russian potash company UralkaliCredit: Getty
He has also been banned from driving the British Grand Prix after Motorsport UK blocked all Russian and Belarussian racers from competing.
Now his team have confirmed that his deal with them has now been ripped up.
And they have also confirmed that it has ended its partnership with Russian potash company Uralkali.
A Haas statement read: “Haas F1 team has elected to terminate, with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver partnership of Nikita Mazepin.
“As with the rest of the F1 community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes for a swift and peaceful end to the conflict.”
Nikita Mazepin’s father, billionaire oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
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This week at an extraordinary meeting led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the World Motor Sport Council agreed that competitors holding Russian and Belarussian racing licences could still race under an “FIA flag”.
But Motorsport UK has gone one step further by stopping them, including Mazepin, from competing.
A Motorsport UK statement read: “No Russian/Belarusian licenced teams are approved to enter motorsport competitions in the UK.
“No Russian/Belarusian licenced competitors and officials are approved to participate in UK motorsport events.
“No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (on uniform, equipment and car) to be displayed at Motorsport UK permitted events.
“The Motorsport UK decision was made in full consultation with the UK Government and national sports governing bodies to ensure that there is a unilateral response to the crisis.”
The 2022 F1 season is due to get underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.

🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info More

NIKITA MAZEPIN has been sacked by his Formula 1 team Haas, according to reports.It was announced by the FIA earlier this week that Russian driver Mazepin would be able to race under a neutral flag this season following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Haas have parted ways with Russian driver MazepinCredit: PA
Fittipaldi looks set to replace Mazepin in the Haas carCredit: Getty
But he has been banned from driving the British Grand Prix after Motorsport UK blocked all Russian and Belarussian racers from competing.
And Sky Deutschland are now reporting that Haas have parted ways with Mazepin.
Pietro Fittipaldi is expected to partner Mick Schumacher at Haas.
Nikita Mazepin’s father, billionaire oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Yesterday at an extraordinary meeting led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the World Motor Sport Council agreed that competitors holding Russian and Belarussian racing licences could still race under an “FIA flag”.
But Motorsport UK has gone one step further by stopping them, including Mazepin, from competing.
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A Motorsport UK statement read: “No Russian/Belarusian licenced teams are approved to enter motorsport competitions in the UK.
“No Russian/Belarusian licenced competitors and officials are approved to participate in UK motorsport events.
“No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (on uniform, equipment and car) to be displayed at Motorsport UK permitted events.
“The Motorsport UK decision was made in full consultation with the UK Government and national sports governing bodies to ensure that there is a unilateral response to the crisis.”
The 2022 F1 season is due to get underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20. More

NIKITA MAZEPIN has reportedly been sacked by his Formula 1 team Haas.It was announced by the FIA earlier this week that Russian driver Mazepin would be able to race under a neutral flag this season following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Haas have parted ways with Russian driver MazepinCredit: PA
Fittipaldi looks set to replace Mazepin in the Haas carCredit: Getty
But he has been banned from driving the British Grand Prix after Motorsport UK blocked all Russian and Belarussian racers from competing.
And Sky Deutschland are now reporting that Haas have parted ways with Mazepin.
Pietro Fittipaldi is expected to partner Mick Schumacher at Haas.
Nikita Mazepin’s father, billionaire oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Yesterday at an extraordinary meeting led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the World Motor Sport Council agreed that competitors holding Russian and Belarussian racing licences could still race under an “FIA flag”.
But Motorsport UK has gone one step further by stopping them, including Mazepin, from competing.
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A Motorsport UK statement read: “No Russian/Belarusian licenced teams are approved to enter motorsport competitions in the UK.
“No Russian/Belarusian licenced competitors and officials are approved to participate in UK motorsport events.
“No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (on uniform, equipment and car) to be displayed at Motorsport UK permitted events.
“The Motorsport UK decision was made in full consultation with the UK Government and national sports governing bodies to ensure that there is a unilateral response to the crisis.”
The 2022 F1 season is due to get underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20. More

LEWIS HAMILTON is responsible for the sacking of F1 race director Michael Masi, claims Red Bull chief Helmut Marko.It was Masi who made the race-changing decision at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to steal the world championship away from Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton remained silent for months after his painful defeat in Abu DhabiCredit: Splash
Michael Masi was sacked after breaking safety rules in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
Helmut Marko believes Masi did not deserve to be sackedCredit: PA
Masi came under pressure for defying his own safety rules and last month was dismissed from his role as race director.
And Marko feels Hamilton is to blame after failing to speak out in Masi’s defence.
The Red Bull advisor told RT: “By his silence, he only wanted to show his dissatisfaction with the situation and the decisions.
“Part of that behaviour subsequently also led to Masi being removed from his role.
“I don’t think it’s right. You have to look at his performances over the years.
“If Masi had everything they are going to enter now at his disposal, it would have been easier for him to decide, a video referee and an advisor by his side.
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“Michael is now being sacrificed for that.”
After losing out to Max Verstappen Hamilton remained silent for several weeks.
His lack of public presence fuelled speculation the Brit could quit F1 altogether before it was finally revealed last month that he would be taking part in the 2022 season.
Hamilton also broke his silence by wishing his social media followers a Happy Chinese New Year.
And he later admitted that he did consider retirement after being robbed of a record eighth world title.
⚽ Read our Football News Live blog for breaking news, transfer gossip and must-read stories More

FORMULA ONE have ripped up their agreement with the Russian Grand Prix promoters and say the country will NOT have a race in the future.It is another crushing blow for despot President Vladimir Putin, who was one of the key figures behind the race.
F1 have ripped up their agreement with the Russian Grand Prix promotersCredit: Getty
Russian troops pictured in the Donetsk regionCredit: Reuters
Putin struck a deal with former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to host the Russian GP in Sochi – the venue for the country’s Winter Olympics – from 2014.
It was worth around $50million a year to F1 – who have acted swiftly following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The sport was quick to cancel this year’s GP, which was due to be held in September, but they have now gone a step further to cancel their agreement in its entirety.
It means Putin will not see F1 race in his hometown of St Petersburg at the £200million purpose-built track, which was due to host the GP in 2023.
It comes after Motorsport UK chief, David Richards, prevented Russian and Belarusian drivers from racing in the UK, including at the British GP.
Meanwhile, Haas are still weighing up what to do with their Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, whose father is a close friend with Putin.
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But it has been confirmed that Mazepin will NOT be able to take part in this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone after Motorsport UK.
David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK said: “The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the acts of war by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support towards all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
“We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded.
“This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine.”
Vladimir Puting pictured with former F1 supremo Bernie EcclestoneCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

RED BULL have confirmed that Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension and revealed he will stay with the team until 2028.The Dutchman already has a contract with Red Bull in place until 2023 which is worth £18million-a-year.
Max Verstappen has penned a lucrative new dealCredit: Reuters
However, his extension, which runs until 2028 is valued at a staggering £37million-a-year.
That takes his total contract up to a mind boggling £221million over seven years – the biggest driver contract in F1 history.
Verstappen, 24, who won the F1 title last season albeit in controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi, said: “I really enjoy being part of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Team, so choosing to stay to the 2028 season was an easy decision.
“I love this team and last year was simply incredible, our goal since we came together in 2016 was to win the championship and we have done that, so now it’s about keeping the number one on the car long-term.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the new long-term deal shows the team’s commitment to Verstappen.
Verstappen will kick off his title defence later this month in Bahrain with the first race of the season on March 20th.
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It marks a new era for F1 with dramatic new regulations relating to the car designs while Red Bull are also developing their own engine department.
Horner added: “To have Max signed with Oracle Red Bull Racing through to the end of 2028 is a real statement of intent.
“Our immediate focus is on retaining Max’s World Championship title, but this deal also shows he is a part of the team’s long-term planning.
“With the Red Bull Powertrains division working towards the new engine regulations for 2026 we wanted to make sure we had the best driver on the grid secured for that car.”
Following the announcement, Verstappen tweeted: “Really proud to announce that @redbullracing will be my home until at least 2028.
“I love this team and I am very happy to continue this amazing journey we are on for a long time.
“We have accomplished so much together already but we are definitely not done.💪✍️”
Verstappen, 24, has committed his future to Red BullCredit: PA More

EX-FORMULA One chief Bernie Ecclestone has shockingly defended ‘honourable’ Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Ecclestone, 91, made his comments in an interview with Times Radio – after Putin ordered a military advance into Ukraine.
Bernie Ecclestone has defended ‘honourable’ Vladimir PutinCredit: Reuters
The conflict has seen Russia become a pariah on the world stage, with countries around the globe imposing various financial, business and travel sanctions.
Russian sports stars and teams have also been affected by bans in their respective fields.
However, Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, have failed to take decisive action against athletes despite cancelling the Russian GP.
And it has now emerged that former F1 supremo Ecclestone, who brought a Grand Prix to Russia in 2014, hailed Putin as ‘honourable’ just one day after he attacked Ukraine.
Speaking to Times Radio on February 25, Ecclestone said: “As a person I found him very straightforward and honourable.
“He did exactly what he said he was going to do without any arguments.
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“[The Russian Grand Prix] depends very much on what the exact situation is between Ukraine and Russia.
“It’s not going to make any difference if there is a race in Russia to anything else that has happened in the world.
“I suppose it is the people who are engaged in the event who would decide on it, because maybe other people think it was the right thing for Russia to do.
“So how can anyone else judge exactly what is happening today?”
Ecclestone has previously expressed his admiration for Putin, saying in 2019: “If someone had a machine gun and was prepared to shoot Putin, I would stand in front of him because he’s a good guy.
“He’s never done anything that isn’t doing good things for people.”
And in 2017, Ecclestone said: “Honestly, I think the guy should rule Europe. Mr Putin has impressed me more than anyone because he’s a guy who says he’s going to do something and does it.
“He’s a first class person.” More