Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reveals he is ‘in two minds’ about decision to oust Russian driver Nikita Mazepin from F1 amid Ukraine invasion… saying ex-Haas man deserves to race on ‘merit’ – and raises example of other sports allowing compatriots to compete
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said he is ‘in two minds’ about the decision to axe Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.
Based in the USA, Team Haas announced on Saturday they would be terminating the contract of their driver and also cutting ties with title sponsor Uralkali following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mazepin, 23, whose father is a part-owner of the chemical company, was due to take part in the 2022 Formula One season as a ‘neutral athlete’, but providing he signed a document agreeing not to support the Russian invasion.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has said he is ‘in two minds’ over the axing of Nikita Mazepin
Russian and Belarusian Paralympic athletes have been cleared to participate at the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games as neutrals, despite mounting pressure for a ban, with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announcing the decision last Wednesday.
Ahead of the new F1 campaign which starts on March 20 in Bahrain, Haas decided to move on from the Russian, with Wolff claiming he can ‘understand why’, whilst saying it will be ‘difficult’ for the driver.
‘I’m in two minds because for Nikita himself he is a guy that merits to be in Formula 1, he can drive,’ the Mercedes boss told BloombergTV.
‘You can see that some of the sports’ leagues have decided to allow Russian athletes to compete and others have been stronger in denying them access. I think as an athlete it is difficult but to support the robust sanctions you can understand why.’
Mazepin, 23, had his contract terminated by Haas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
F1 announced the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi a day after the country invaded Ukraine on 24 February.
The Russian Grand Prix was due to be moved to St Petersburg next year, but the sport has since cut ties with F1 in the country, with Wolff believing it is the right call.
‘I am Austrian, and Vienna is only 400 km from Ukraine, and who would have thought that we would see another war in Europe?
The sport has axed the Russian Grand Prix from its calendar following the war in Ukraine
Austrian Wolff, 50, claimed it was the right decision to axe the Grand Prix from the calendar
‘Formula 1 and the sport seem so minuscule in that context, so we decided not to race in Sochi and I think that Formula 1 has given a robust statement like many other industries in the world.
‘I think this is the overwhelming topic today and it allows us to reflect on all the little annoyances we have in the sport that there is so much more important than this.
‘We have Ukrainians and Russians on the team, it is certainly not easy for all the individuals who have families there.
‘It is tough times and, from a personal perspective, having grown up in Vienna with parents of Slavic background, I feel what is happening even closer to my heart.’