Haas VF-21 is already attracting controversy
Haas F1 Team
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RACING NEWS October 23, 2020
One team that seems to always attract headlines is the HAAS F1 team. There was Romain Grosjean’s horrific crash last year in Bahrain and rookie driver Nikita Mazepin’s social media faux pas. Now they’ve done it again, with the launch of their 2021 car, the VF-21.
Albeit this time, it has something to do with the VF-21’s colorway. The new scheme reflects the new partnership with title sponsor Uralkali, a Russian fertilizer company part-owned by Mazepin’s father. The team chose to adopt the colors of the Russian Flag and feature an image alluding to the flag itself for the upcoming season.
New car controversy as F1 team Haas exploits Russian flag ban loophole
New white, blue and red bodywork coincides with the announcement of a sponsorship deal with Uralkali, a Russian fertilizer producer
4 March 2021 • 1:00pm
Haas s new car has a controversial Russian-themed livery
Credit: HAAS
Racing team Haas have unveiled controversial Russian-themed livery for the new 2021 Formula 1 season as a doping ban on flags for the nation s drivers begins.
New white, blue and red bodywork coincides with the announcement of a sponsorship deal with Uralkali, a Russian fertilizer producer.
Haas, an American team, also has Russian rookie Nikita Mazepin, 22, in their line-up, but he will be unable to stand under the Russian flag if he makes the podium.
Mazepin stuck in neutral for Haas debut season
Date published:
February 6 2021
Nikita Mazepin will have to race under a neutral flag in his first season for Haas after confirmation that an anti-doping ruling against Russia also applies to F1.
The 21-year-old Moscow-born driver joins Mick Schumacher in an all-rookie line-up for Haas this year after the team chose to dispense with the services of Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.
But in the unlikely event of Mazepin finishing on the podium – Haas’ best race finish was ninth in 2020 – the Russian flag will not be raised, nor the national anthem played should he pull off a shock victory.