Steiner did not speak with Mazepin: 'Only in writing'

Nikita Mazepin saw his Formula One career suddenly fall apart in recent weeks when Haas F1 decided not to continue with the Russian driver. The way this was done was not neat, according to Mazepin. Team boss Guenther Steiner explains how he announced the resignation to the Russian.

Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, all stickers with main sponsor Uralkali disappeared from the car and later also from the team's website and social media. Not much later, the team came out with a press release stating that Mazepin will no longer drive for Haas in 2022.

Mazepin revealed that he did not receive any notice of his resignation before reading it in the press release. Steiner indicated at RTL Germany that there was no telephone contact or other form of a conversation between him and Mazepin: "I only did that in writing. I did not speak with him." Steiner subsequently received no further response from the Russian.

Although Uralkali is going to take legal action, Steiner tries to see everything as positive as possible. "The team is financially stable. You don't have to worry about the team," he says. On Monday, news came out that Gene Haas, the team's founder, will increase his investment in the team.