Swango1980
Well-known member
Russian Grand Prix has been cancelled
F1 2022
- Thread starter bobmac
- Start date
Swango1980
Well-known member
Interesting about Haas driver Nikita Mazepin. He brings in sponsorship money from his father, Dmitry, who is a billionaire with close ties to Putin. It looks like Haas will be looking to sever ties with him (or maybe they will legally have to with the sanctions?)
Beedee
Assistant Pro
Best thing that could happen to Haas, as long as they can find enough money to survive.
In general I don't like the drivers that have seats bought for them. I know that includes Perez, Stroll and Latifi, and probably others. But at least those drivers are good enough for a seat on merit (well 2 of them definitely). Mazepin's been awful from day one. Actually, after videoing himself groping a girl and then sharing it on line, Mazepin's been an embarrassment to the team since before day 1.
greenone
Active member
They should survive. Gene Haas isn't short of cash, he wanted to reduce his commitment. I'm sure he can find the money down the back of the sofa untill they get new sponsors.
Beedee
Assistant Pro
Is this one the new rules more more interesting racing ...
Send out a leaky water tanker as the safety car
Send out a leaky water tanker as the safety car
Swango1980
Well-known member
I also posted this on the WW3 thread, but also relevant here. Motorsport UK will refuse to recognise licenses of competitors from Russia.
So, although Mazepin can race in F1 for Haas (although I believe talks are still ongoing behind the scenes), he will be unable to race in the British Grand Prix
So, although Mazepin can race in F1 for Haas (although I believe talks are still ongoing behind the scenes), he will be unable to race in the British Grand Prix
greenone
Active member
First Domino, I don't believe for a second that other national associations won't follow Motorsport uk's lead.
Wabinez
Journeyman Pro
just happening to post a picture of Pierre Fittipaldi, in Bahrain, in a Haas, with rumours of Mazepin being removed from the seat…..
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
According to Sky, Haas have terminated Mazepin's contract..
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Confirmed https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/3...ussian-drivers-contract-with-immediate-effect but he seems far from happy, which I understand as the situation isn't his doing but important that sport presents a united front the the current crisis
4LEX
Well-known member
I'm a better F1 driver than Mazepin. Clown of a driver who only got a ride due to his Dad. You could put a bottle of coke in the seat and it would get the same amount of points.
Foxholer
Blackballed
While his father's contribution undoubtedly helped, his 'qualifications' (eg from Karting) aren't all that poorer than Ralf Schumaker's - whose appointment to Williams was very likely influenced by his brother's qualities. It was likely a 'mutually beneficiaal' arrangement though.
Had he been in a more competitive team, I'm certain he'd have had more success.
And FWIW, I'd put money on Mazepin being a better F1 driver than you!
theoneandonly
Blackballed
Mazepin leaves F1 with more spins (22) than race starts(21).
BiMGuy
LIV Bot, (But Not As Big As Mel) ?
Show us your super licence?
Beedee
Assistant Pro
Amazing what daddy's corrupt billions can buy.
Haas took him for one reason only - daddy's money. Good on them for getting rid. Slimy little entitled scumbag. The sport is better without him and daddy.
BiMGuy
LIV Bot, (But Not As Big As Mel) ?
Agree with that 100%. But you don’t get a SL without being a very very good driver.
Beedee
Assistant Pro
To get a super licence you need to accumulate 40 points over 3 years in one of 37 different "junior" formats. That doesn't sound that hard for a billionaire's son who can buy drives in any format. His pre-F1 career was medicore.
Is he a faster driver than the vast majority of people - yes he is. Should he have been even close to an F1 drive - on pure talent, OMG no.
Foxholer
Blackballed
So? Just means he pushes (excessively). His team-mate wasn't exactly a star either - in spite of his 'genetic advantage'! Basically the car was not competitive!
theoneandonly
Blackballed
So he's *** and you clearly haven't seen much of him.
SaintHacker
Journeyman Pro
You do realise that in the junior formulas the cars are all pretty much equal? So it doesn't matter how much money you have if you're not a good driver you won't get superlicence points. Do you also hate Latifi, Stroll and countless other drivers over the years who have brought a large amount of sponsorship money in to 'buy' their seat? Pay drivers have always happened in F1, and for the lower teams probably always will.
