Haas have not finalised the identity of the driver who will replace Russian Nikita Mazepin, whose contract was terminated at the weekend in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Fittipaldi is no more than an outsider in the context of the race seat. Mazepin said the question was irrelevant because he did not have a contract to race. Asked whether it was possible for him to be perceived as a neutral athlete in that context, Mazepin reiterated that the FIA had “ruled that drivers can compete if they are neutral. He added: “Formula 1 is not a closed chapter for me. I will be ready to race in case there is an opportunity to return.

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