New car controversy as F1 team Haas exploits Russian flag ban loophole
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.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) announced in December that it had upheld a ban on Russia from competing at world championship sporting events, relating to state-sponsored doping and cover-ups at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Cas cut a four-year ban proposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency to two years, supposedly meaning there will be no dedicated Russian team at the Olympics or the World Cup in 2022.
However, amid claims the ban is having little effect, it was announced last month that the country’s team and athletes will be officially branded as “ROC" - an acronym for Russian Olympic Committee - in Tokyo this summer.
The colours of the flag on the new Haas car have also sparked dismay. "Don’t get how they got away with it when both sides of the front wing, the tip of the nose, the engine cover, and the area right behind the front tires have clear Russian flags," was among a host of social media responses to the new-look car.
Hello 2021 😍#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/C2gVJFlPWV
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 4, 2021
The Russian Automobile Federation has previously confirmed the Cas ruling would impact on drivers, meaning Mazepin, who was in F2 last season, is forbidden from racing under the Russian flag.
Haas have said they will not be developing this year's car, the VF21, beyond pre-season testing. Mick Schumacher, the 21-year-old son of seven-time champion Michael and last year's F2 champion, joins Mazepin in the paddock. The company is part-owned by Mazepin's father, Dmitry.
Haas finished ninth in each of the past two seasons and last year scored just three points, comfortably their lowest points tally since joining the sport in 2016.
