Haas Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin doesn’t believe that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine will stop his home race from taking place this year.
Recently, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin recognised regions Luhansk and Donetsk as independent, and ordered Russian forces to the areas.
Sanctions have already been imposed on Russia from countries around the world, while from a sporting perspective, it has been reported that the 2022 Champions League Final, which was set to be held in Saint Petersburg, could be moved by UEFA.
Russia’s grand prix this year is scheduled to take place on September 25 in Sochi, before moving to Igora Drive from 2023.
However, doubt has been placed on this year’s event going ahead at all, in light of the tensions in eastern Europe.
Mazepin, who experienced his first home race last year, is confident that the grand prix will receive the green light later this season.
“From the understanding that we’ve had with Formula 1, and race is going ahead and you will surely see me there,” Mazepin said.
Mazepin got to drive Haas’ 2022 F1 car, the VF-22, on Wednesday morning during the opening pre-season session of the year, but logged only 13 laps.
Despite the unrest being created at home, Mazepin says it is not distracting him from the upcoming campaign.
“I’m not struggling at all, because I’ve always been a big supporter of sports without politics,” he said.
“And today I’m in Barcelona, I cannot tell you the excitement of driving the new car and the excitement of actually being involved in developing this new car and actually from seeing the pictures for a year and then seeing it in physical carbon copy of the pictures is great.
“So I’m just very happy to be in Barcelona and I hope these three days are longer because it’s a nice experience.”
Twenty-one hours later, and already it seems he has spoken too soon. Even UEFA, not exactly renowned for reacting swiftly in the face of appalling behaviour, have already begun to consider other options for the Champions League Final, which ws due to be held in Russia (St Petersburg, I think). Neanderthal midget Putin will be having his chances for self-promotion through sport severely curtailed for the foreseeable.
Get a clue. Any time the precious Western media or a Western government declares the leader of any nation a “threat” or an “aggressor”, then you can damn sure bet the exact opposite is happening. The first rule of (((communism))) is to blame other for which you are guilty of.
So is it not aggressive to launch missiles into residential areas of Ukraines capital city? Is it not threatening of midget Putin to talk about his hypersonic nuclear missiles waiting to be sent to any country which tries to stop him? The former KGB short-arse is the communist, not those in the west who are speaking against him. If you’re defending that ferret-faced twat you must be a fucking moron Russian troll yourself. So fuck oiff back under your stone and die.
F1 must cancel the Russian Gp NOW or everybody should boycott F1