The FIA has determined to not ban Russian drivers from motorsport within the wake of the nation’s army invasion of Ukraine, permitting Nikita Mazepin to stay in Method One with Haas.
Motor racing’s governing physique determined Tuesday {that a} ban would solely lengthen to drivers competing underneath the flag of Russia or Belarus, however that drivers from each international locations could be allowed to proceed to race underneath a impartial “FIA flag”.
The choice was made at an emergency assembly of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), which was organised after the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) issued an announcement recommending that governing our bodies inside sport mustn’t enable Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in worldwide sporting occasions.
Nonetheless, the IOC assertion acknowledged that if that was not potential for “organisational or authorized causes”, athletes from these international locations ought to solely be allowed to compete as neutrals and never underneath their nation’s flag.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated the WMSC’s decsion was “aligned with the suggestions not too long ago made by the Worldwide Olympic Committee”.
Haas was ready for the FIA’s ruling earlier than making a choice on Mazepin, who’s place on the staff is secured via its take care of his father Dmitry’s firm, Uralkali. Haas declined to touch upon Mazepin’s future on the staff when requested Tuesday after the FIA’s resolution was made public.
The WMSC additionally confirmed that no worldwide FIA competitions would happen in Russia and Belarus till additional discover, though F1 had already introduced final week that this 12 months’s Russian Grand Prix could be cancelled.
In his opening remarks on the WMSC assembly, Ben Sulayem stated: “As you realize, the FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with unhappiness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceable decision to the current scenario. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our ideas are with all these struggling on account of the occasions in Ukraine.
“I wish to stress that the FIA, along with our promoters, proactively acted on this matter final week and communicated accordingly on the Method One, Method 2, WTCR and the Worldwide Drifting Cup.
“An up to date model of the completely different FIA Worldwide Calendars will likely be offered to the WMSC assembly in Bahrain for approval.”
The WMSC resolution added that no Russian or Belarusian nationwide groups could be allowed to take part in worldwide competitions, and that “no Russian/Belarusian nationwide symbols, colors, flags (uniform, gear and automobile) ought to be displayed”.
Haas, which launched its automobile in early February with a livery within the colors of Uralkali (mimicking the colors of the Russian flag), determined on the closing day of final week’s preseason take a look at in Barcelona to modify to a plain white livery with no Uralkali branding. ESPN understands Haas has one other barely modified livery for subsequent week’s second take a look at in Bahrain.