Russian driver Nikita Mazepin allowed to race in F1 under neutral flag

Mazepin is allowed to compete under a neutral flag

Haas driver Nikita Mazepin will be allowed to race in Formula 1 this season after the FIA confirmed Russian and Belarusian drivers can compete under a neutral flag. The decision to allow the 22-year-old to participate comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended all sports ban Russian or Belarusian athletes from international events. The Ukraine Motorsport Federation also demanded that the FIA ban Russian and Belarusian drivers from competing outside of their own countries. However, the FIA - the sport's governing body - decided that Mazepin would be allowed to continue racing for Haas in the Formula One 2022 season under a neutral flag. A statement from the governing body read: "No Russian/Belarusian national teams to participate in international/zone competitions (e.g. FIA Motorsport Games), until further notice. "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, until further notice. "No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (uniform, equipment and car)- should be displayed or anthems should be played at international/zone competitions, until further notice." https://twitter.com/fia/status/1498745655690465287 The statement added that there would be "no international/zone competition to take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice" as well as no flags, symbols or anthems of the two nations. Before the decision was made, Team Haas opted to remove the branding of its title partner Uralkali for the final day of the pre-season test in Barcelona last week. The Russian fertiliser company is part-owned by oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, who is the father of Nikita. The FIA's decision follows after they made the decision to cancel the Russian Grand Prix - which was due to take place in Sochi on September 25. Related links:

• F1 cancel this season’s Russian Grand Prix following Ukraine invasion
• Max Verstappen joins Sebastian Vettel in calls to strip Russia of Grand Prix
• Formula 1 urged to drop driver whose father is ally of Vladimir Putin