F1 2022: Haas group boss’ Guenther Steiner didn’t converse to Nikita Mazepin earlier than axing, Kevin Magnussen indicators deal, Drive to Survive

Earlier this week, Haas revealed it had dropped each Mazepin and his billionaire father Dmitry’s firm Uralkali because the group’s main sponsor.

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The writing was on the wall after Haas determined to take away its sponsors colors throughout testing in Barcelona and Haas group principal Guenther Steiner refused to again Mazepin to carry onto his place within the group following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The stress to swing the axe ramped up when Motorsport UK banned all Russian and Belarusian racers from competing on the British Grand Prix.

After his axing was revealed, Mazepin took to social media, writing: “While I understand the difficulties, the ruling from FlA plus my ongoing willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored and no process was followed in this unilateral step.”

But the message was simply the primary salvo as Mazepin broke his silence in a media convention on Wednesday.

He mentioned he was able to signal a doc which might permit him to drive underneath a impartial flag.

After studying of his sacking on the similar time the remainder of the world did, he mentioned he wouldn’t need to return someplace he’s not needed.

“I value relationships a lot,” he mentioned. “I believe that F1 is a unique sport because it is very much about team building.

“And this chemistry that you have ongoing between your male and female colleagues to get the car in a position where it can do well, and I was very disappointed because the way it was handled.

“I have been worried about my future ever since I left Barcelona and I have been told that if the FIA or the governing body allows me to compete on their rules, and I agreed to them, there will be no actions to remove me from the seat, because there is no legal obligation or reason to do so.

“In my previous relationships with Gunther, which I rated a very good one and respected him as a man, very much so, I have been used to believe 101% in his words, He’s a team principal, and if he says something it normally happens, or it always happens.

“But I have not heard any information from the team ever since this happened. And I learned about the firing of me the same time as it had been released to the press.

“I’d like to think I’m a young man at 23, and I was not ready for it. I didn’t receive any hint or any support to say that this is a decision we’ve taken, it’s going to go live in 15 minutes, just be ready for it.

“I obviously had a lot of messages from people, and I just learned at the same time as you guys did.”

Uralkali had already mentioned it might launch authorized motion over the sponsorship cash it’s already paid in 2022, whereas Mazepin didn’t rule out his personal authorized strikes however mentioned he wouldn’t need to return to Haas.

It comes simply days earlier than the brand new season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive is launched the place Steiner and Mazepin’s relationship shall be laid naked.

During one race, Steiner says “F*****g hell, that’s why people hate you” after Mazepin gave his engineers a tough time throughout a race and was uncooperative throughout a debrief.

Steiner then gave the 23-year-old a dressing down, reportedly saying: “First of all I want to tell you that we really try to help you, but you need to help me as well.

“When you speak on the radio, do not be aggressive – you don’t achieve anything.

“They (the engineers) are afraid of you. You are not a p***y. I’m not saying you need to be loved. I’m just saying to be very neutral. Not being ‘Oh this is f*****g s**t’. That doesn’t help anyone.

“If we are not united as a team then we’re all going to s**t. We are getting you closer to Mick [Schumacher].

“I know that is the f***ing frustration, but there is not a magic thing for this car and I think Mick can deal with it better.”

Mazepin had been a controversial determine since coming into F1.

It was no secret that he was signed no less than partially because of his father being a billionaire and the group signing him whereas in search of “drivers with financial backing”, however he was rapidly embroiled in a scandal when he groped the breasts of a younger lady.

His driving skill additionally got here into query as he crashed on his first lap within the F1, and had a number of run ins with the Schumachers, together with teammate Mick.

Ralf Schumacher informed Sky Sports Deutschland that it was “a shame” but in addition the best name.

“It’s a shame for Nikita, because he can’t do anything about it and it has absolutely nothing to do with him,” Schumacher mentioned.

“I realise it’s a difficult situation, but a split is the only right option.

“From a sporting point of view, this can also be a good decision for the team.

“It had to come to this separation mainly for two reasons: one is the pressure from outside, the other is the fact that Haas is an American team.”

Sacked ex-F1 star will get second probability

Kevin Magnussen on Wednesday returned to the Haas Formula One group to switch Mazepin.

Haas mentioned 29-year-old Magnussen had signed a “multi-year contract agreement” and the Dane will drive within the official pre-season take a look at at Bahrain from Thursday to Saturday.

“I’m delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen back to Haas F1 Team,” Steiner mentioned.

“When looking for a driver who could bring value to the team, not to mention a wealth of Formula 1 experience, Kevin was a straightforward decision for us.”

Magnussen, a veteran of 119 profession Formula One begins – with a podium end on his debut in 2014 – raced for Haas between 2017-2020 after stints with McLaren and Renault.

He scored a career-high ninth end within the driver world championship with Haas in 2018.

Magnussen was dropped by Haas, together with Romain Grosjean, and changed by Mazepin and Mick Schumacher for the beginning of final season.

“I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team,” Magnussen mentioned.

“I was looking in a different direction regarding my commitments for 2022 but the opportunity to return to compete in Formula 1, and with a team I know extremely well, was simply too appealing.”

— with AFP