The new plain-white Haas Formula 1 team car has taken to the track on the final day of Barcelona testing, following the team’s decision to remove the branding of its title sponsor Uralkali amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The decision extends to the team’s paddock facilities as well, albeit teamwear – including that of Nikita Mazepin, who drove the VF-22 car out of the pits for the Friday morning session – currently retains the logos of the Russian company.
The solution could, of course, prove temporary, but marks a significant step that will have required a lot of work.
The question is whether this is about disassociating the team with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine or something more severe like a hint of sanction already impacting the Uralkali deal.
Deputy chairman of the Uralkali board and Uralchem CEO Dmitry Mazepin – father Nikita – was at the Kremlin for a meeting called by Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday and various Russian business people and businesses are having direct action taken against them by various governments including those of the UK and the US – Haas has bases in both.
Haas team boss Guenther Steiner will be speaking to the media later today, having had a planned press conference appearance cancelled on Thursday.
