Why HAAS Possibly Getting Rid of Nikita Mazepin Is a Bad Move

Less than a week ago Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking war in Europe for the first time since 1939. Almost immediately the sports world responded with Formula One having the biggest impacts. As of now the auto racing series has canceled the Russian Grand Prix and the American based HAAS F1 team got rid of Russian sponsor Uralkali for an unannounced period of time. HAAS F1 is also home to Russian driver Nikita Mazepin whose dad, Dmitry, is the owner of Uralkali. Mazepin is a pay to drive driver, but in today's Formula One world this is nothing odd. Many people and even Ukraine have called for the firing of Mazepin due to his Russian nationality. Frankly that is just wrong and discrimination, Mazepin has nothing to do with the Russian invasion and has not even come out in support of it. Way too many people are so fast to cancel someone, the firing of Mazepin would lead to most likely the end of his Formula One career. HAAS getting rid of Uralkali has a sponsor is a bad move, the team is underfunded and struggles race in and race out, now they may lose one of their top payers for 2022.