Updated on 03/03/2022 09:03
- Nikita Mazepin’s future at Haas in Formula 1 is still open.
- Should the Russian have to vacate his cockpit, Mick Schumacher will get a new teammate at short notice.
- There are a few candidates, such as the German Nico Hülkenberg.
From a sporting point of view, Russian racing drivers can take a deep breath: the world automobile association FIA has decided not to exclude the pilots because of the Ukraine war. Previously, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had recommended all world federations and organizers of sporting events to Russia and to sanction the ally Belarus.
Other associations such as the World Football Association FIFA or the European Football Association UEFA followed the call. The British Motorsport Association also excluded Russians. For Nikita Mazepin, who recently hit the headlines, the decisions mean that although he cannot take part in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this season, he can continue to compete, but only under a neutral FIA flag. Theoretically.
Because of course the complex situation after the invasion of Russia in the Ukraine on his future with the Haas Formula 1 racing team. Traveling is likely to be complicated or impossible for him as a Russian citizen, and a separation of the Haas team from sponsor Uralkali, Mazepin’s father Dmitry’s company, is still likely. Holding on to a Russian driver is also likely to meet with little understanding at the moment. Haas is under pressure.
Mazepin successor: There is a lot of speculation
Because time is of the essence: from March 10th to 12th, the next test drives of the premier class are on the program in Bahrain, before the new season opens on March 20th at the same place. So should Haas Mick Schumacher If you want to add a new teammate to your side, it would have to be pretty quick with a successor for Mazepin.
There is already a lot of speculation as to who could get the cockpit next to Schumacher if the worst comes to the worst. We present some candidates.
Pietro Fittipaldi: “The first call would go to Pietro,” said team boss Günther Steiner during the test drives in Barcelona. Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is a Haas reserve driver and has known the team since 2018. So good, “there is currently no one better than Pietro to jump into a car from one day to the next,” said Steiner . The 25-year-old drove in the races in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in 2020 as a replacement for Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who was injured after the devastating fire accident, and finished 19th and 17th.
Hulkenberg is full of juice
Nico Hulkenberg: In 2020, the man from Emmerich proved in three spontaneous assignments that he can deliver from a standing start even without regular assignments. The 34-year-old completed his last full season in 2019. However, he has been a reserve driver at Aston Martin since 2021 and is therefore in top physical shape. What’s more, he sat in the simulator and tested the new generation of cars, so he has a good idea of what’s in store for him. For Schumacher, an experienced man like Hulkenberg would of course be worth his weight in gold.
Antonio Giovinazzi: His name is often mentioned when it comes to the Haas cockpit. He drove in Formula 1 for Alfa Romeo from 2019 to 2021, but had to make way for Chinese rookie Guanyu Zhou after last season. At the time, he reacted to the end with clear criticism of today’s Formula 1 given the commercial background of the Zhou deal. The 28-year-old is currently trying rather poorly as a newcomer to the electric racing series Formula E. However, he is still a substitute driver for Ferrari, the Haas partner. In addition, like Hülkenberg, he would be the experienced option.
Chance for the Australian top talent?
Oscar Piastri: The Australian is one of the biggest up-and-coming talents. Won Formula 3 in 2020, advanced to Formula 2 and also triumphed there in 2021 – two very strong exclamation marks within a very short time. Although he is under contract with Alpine/Renault, the racing team can no longer offer the 20-year-old as a substitute for Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon at the moment. A season with a team like Haas as a wealth of experience would be a win-win situation for all sides.
Callum Ilott: The Briton is also part of the Ferrari squad and is therefore also mentioned as a possible option. He’s competing in the IndyCar Series this season. The 23-year-old’s problem: He has little experience in Formula 1 cars. Clear outsider role.
Source used:
- Press conference, press release
Sochi is being removed from the Formula 1 racing calendar for the 2022 season due to Russia’s hostile actions in Ukraine. The race was scheduled for September 25th. In this respect, 22 races remain, just as many as last year. (Teaser image: EPA-EFE/Yuri Kochetkov) © ProSiebenSat.1