FIA release statement as decision made on Nikita Mazepin future

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The FIA have confirmed that Haas driver Nikita Mazepin will be permitted to continue racing in F1 under a neutral flag. However, motorsport’s governing body has issued further sanctions on Russia and Belarus over their invasion of Ukraine.

The two eastern European countries will be banned from hosting races, which follows on from the F1 Russian Grand Prix being cancelled.

All Russian and Belarusian delegates have also been forced to step down from the FIA.

A statement reads: “Russian/Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials to participate in international/zone competitions only in their neutral capacity and under the ‘FIA flag’, subject to specific commitment and adherence to the FIA’s principles of peace and political neutrality.”

Mazepin was pulled from his media duties during pre-season testing in Barcelona last week.

The 22-year-old then posted a message on social media which reads: “To my fans and followers – it’s a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done.

“I’m choosing to focus on what I CAN control by working hard and doing my best for my HAAS. My deepest thanks for your understanding and support.”

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