F1: Top Gear’s Chris Harris Slams The FIA Over Letting Nikita Mazepin Race After Ukraine Insasion

Chris Harris, a well respected journalist who has written and created videos for some of the most coveted magazines and news outlets in the world on top of more recently presenting Top Gear, has commented on the drama surrounding the F1.

The Russian Haas driver Nikita Mazepin has recently been barred from driving at the British Grand Prix as Motorsport UK put a stop to any Russian or Belarusian athletes entering or competing in British motoring events. But the FIA is continuing to allow the Russian driver to drive under a neutral “FIA flag”.

FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem said the following only days ago:

“The FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine.”

The FIA also released a statement:

“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.”

Now, Top Gear presenter Chris Harris has had his say on what’s happening. He posted the following to his Instagram stories:

 

“Was excited by the new FIA leadership, but series of bungled decisions is worrying. Allowing Mazepin to race without a Russian flag is, to use diplomatic language, a f*****g joke. Congrats to Motorsport UK for having the chin to take a stand.”

Recent rumours indicate that Mazepine could actually be dropped from Haas, with him to potentially be replaced by Pietro Fittipaldi, a Brazilian-American driver and the grandson of two-time-world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

💣🚨

Haas have decided: Mazepin is OUT. Fittipaldi will replace him; official statement very soon as the brazillian will be behind the wheel in Barhain pre-season testing!#F1 #Haas

— Sergio Rodríguez ✍️ (@sergiorf97) March 3, 2022

We’re hoping Haas will release a statement later this week.