The Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FAU) has made a stern request to the FIA to suspend the license of Haas driver Nikita Mazepin.
This comes amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that has caught the world in a state of disbelief.
Mazepin’s future in F1 is up in the air and Haas has even pulled him off media duties till the team reaches a decision on his future.
Haas recently removed title sponsors Uralkali and raced in a simple white livery on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona last week.
Nikita Mazepin’s father, Dmitry was one of the biggest funders of the team through his company Uralkali. With him out of the picture, his pay driver son Nikita is unlikely to hold his place in the team.
Steiner has even spoken about who he sees as the ideal candidate to replace Nikita if the team decides to end his contract.
Following a number of sanctions imposed by countries across Europe, the FIA recently decided to scrap September’s Russian Grand Prix in light of recent events.
The fact that both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen had said that they weren’t keen on traveling to Russia may well have forced FIA’s hand.
FIA has pledged support to FAU
Recently, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had said that ‘the support of the FIA’ will be with the FAU.
Now, FAU president Leonid Kostyuchenko has asked him to follow through on his words and impose a ban on all Russian drivers.
Leonid further wants all Russian and Belarusian members to be banned across the sport an for no sort of state symbols or flags to be used on any livery.
This is likely to severely impact Russian driver Mazepin.
The FAU’s request is expected to be accepted by Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Mazepin may well be forced to exit the sport.
The 22-year-old driver, though, thanked his fans for their support in a recent social media post.
He tweeted: “To my fans and followers – it’s a difficult time, and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done.
“I’m choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my best for my @HaasF1Team. My deepest thanks for your understanding and support.”