Haas driver Mazepin faces ban from racing in British Grand Prix

Haas driver Nikita Mazepin of Russia arrives to the Losail International Circuit. (Darko Bandic/AP)

Formula One team Haas might have to find a new driver for the British Grand Prix as Russian Nikita Mazepin will likely be barred from competing in response to the situation in Ukraine.

No Russian or Belarusian drivers are permitted to compete in motorsport events in the UK and no Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags are to be displayed. David Richards, the chair of Motorsport UK, made the announcement, saying the organization stands with Ukraine during the ongoing conflict.

“We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded," Richards wrote. "This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine (FAU).”

The FIA said on Tuesday that Mazepin would be allowed to compete in F1 this season under a neutral flag. The Russian could still compete in the British Grand Prix if he were to obtain a license from another country that is permitted by Motorsport UK.

The World Motor Sport Council already ruled that no international FIA competitions will take place in Russia or Belarus, which led to the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix.

Russian athletes around the world have been facing sanctions and restrictions from competing in sporting events. Bans have been imposed in soccer, track, basketball and hockey after the International Olympic Committee asked for Russians and Belarusians to be excluded from international events.

Other sports bodies which have so far let Russians and Belarusians keep competing as neutral athletes include the International Paralympic Committee, FINA, which governs swimming and other aquatic sports, and the federations for boxing, gymnastics, fencing and judo.

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