Nikita Mazepin has made clear that he plans to keep "all options open" as he refused to rule out legal action against Haas over the cancellation of his contract as a Formula 1 driver. The 23-year-old is now without a seat for the 2022 season after Haas made the decision to terminate both his deal and their partnership with title sponsor Uralkali, owned by Mazepin's billionaire father. The team's decision to cut their Russian ties came following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, and Mazepin revealed on Wednesday morning that he was not informed of the news any sooner than the media. Uralkali have demanded that the money they have already paid in sponsorship is immediately reimbursed but, for now, Mazepin is yet to confirm whether he will take legal action over how his time with the team has come to an end. "I would say that it's good to keep all options available, but I definitely don't want to go back to a place which doesn't want me," he has said, making clear that any legal pursuit will not see him fight for a return to the American-led team. "As you know, Formula 1 is a dangerous sport and you have to rely on believing in the team that you're working with. It's a question of safety. I think it's fair to say I do not have that trust in them."
Mazepin: Haas have no legal reason to cancel my contract
When asked if he felt he was deserving of more support from both his Haas and Formula 1's management, Mazepin said: "I do feel like I should have had more, because there has been no legal reason that could enable the team to terminate my contract, on legal terms." "I have explained that I have been very relieved to see that the FIA has allowed athletes to compete on a neutral status and I was hoping, and to be honest the hope was feeling close, that I will be able to compete," he continued, stressing that he would have been happy to race for Haas under the flag of the FIA in 2022. "But, obviously, things really changed and I lost my dream, which I was working towards for 18 years of my life."
Mazepin hopeful F1 career is not yet over
After just 21 races, Mazepin's Formula 1 career is now at worst, over and at best, on pause. He spent the 2021 season struggling to keep up with teammate Mick Schumacher, in a Haas car that placed regularly at the rear of the field. But the Russian is refusing to close the book on his F1 career just yet, vowing to stay physically fit and start his push for a return. "I absolutely do not see F1 as a closed chapter for me," he added. "I am going to stay in a race condition and I will be ready to take on an opportunity if it comes. "At the moment, I'm only sighting F1 and no other categories."
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