Axed F1 driver Nikita Mazepin insists he has NO intention of ditching Russian flag

Sacked Russian Method One driver Nikita Mazepin has dominated out the potential for racing beneath a impartial flag so as to increase hopes of an F1 return.

Haas sacked Mazepin again in March and likewise dropped sponsors Uralkali, a Russian fertiliser firm part-owned by Mazepin’s oligarch father Dmitry, 53, an affiliate of Vladimir Putin. 

The FIA introduced that Russian drivers would solely be capable of compete in competitors in the event that they distanced themselves from their nation and raced beneath a impartial flag.

Mazepin has seen his friends, akin to junior Ferrari driver Robert Shwartzman and Dakar Rally driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, undertake a distinct flag to additional their racing careers, one thing he’s unwilling to go.

‘Individuals can’t be condemned. We’re athletes and everybody has their very own selections, which should be revered,’ he informed rsport.ria.ru.

‘Zhiltsov shouldn’t be the one one, [Russian turned Israeli driver] Robert Shwartzman did the identical. There’s a query of non-public concerns.

‘Whether or not you need to hand over your nation for sport and it’s extra vital for you or not – everybody chooses for himself, however I cannot do it.’

 Mazepin (proper) ‘respects’ different drivers adopting a distinct flag however he will not observe go well with

Again in April Mazepin described ‘cancel tradition’ because the season behind his sacking. 

Chatting with the BBC, Mazepin mentioned that focusing on Russian athletes with sanctions is incorrect. 

‘I do not agree with being within the sanctions,’ he mentioned. ‘I’ve mentioned earlier than I comply with battle it.

‘Maybe now shouldn’t be the best time. When you have a look at the entire state of affairs that’s occurring in opposition to athletes within the normal case, it is cancel tradition in opposition to my nation.’ 

Mazepin was axed by Haas 9 days after Russia invaded Ukraine and he was changed by Kevin Magnussen.  

Mazepin’s father Dmitry (proper) is an ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin (left)

The Russian Grand Prix, held in Sochi, has additionally been wiped from the race calendar on account of the conflict on Ukraine and it’s a resolution that leaves Mazepin with ‘nice unhappiness’.  

‘I reacted to this with nice unhappiness,’ he added. ‘I bear in mind these improbable emotions once I carried out on that stage in Russia. 

‘This is likely one of the greatest Grand Prix. It’s a pity that drivers and spectators won’t be able to expertise it once more within the close to future.

‘However the state of affairs can change in a short time each in a unfavourable course or in a constructive one. I hope for the perfect.’ 

Mazepin is now engaged on a lawsuit in opposition to Haas over his dismissal, with hearings set to be held in Switzerland within the coming months. 

Danish driver Kevin Magnussen changed Mazepin and is impressing for the Haas group

Haas are additionally contending with the way forward for Mick Schumacher, son of legendary F1 driver Michael, after Sportsmail revealed the American group are able to dismiss the German.

Sportsmail understands Hass boss Gunther Steiner has already determined that Schumacher, the 23-year-old son of legendary seven-time world champion Michael, is surplus to necessities.

The German’s contract expires in December and talks over an extension have gone nowhere.