Haas team boss, Guenther Steiner insists that the World Anti-Doping Agency's ban on Russian athletes competing in world championship events does not conflict with the team's new livery.

On Thursday, Haas released a number of images of its 2021 car sporting a much brighter livery than fans have been accustomed to.

And while the white, red and blue could well signify the team's American heritage, it could similarly be argued that as the car features the name of new title sponsor, Uralkali, the Russian potash fertilizer producer and exporter, owned by Russian, Dmitry Mazepin, whose Russian son will drive one of the cars, the VF-21 is actually sporting the red, white and blue of, err... Russia.

Not so, insists Guenther Steiner, who was keen to dismiss talk that the team is attempting to circumvent the World Anti-Doping Agency's ban which followed the revelation of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia

"We didn't circumvent anything," said the Italian. "We came up with this livery already last year, before the ruling from WADA about the Russian flag.

"Obviously, we cannot display the Russian flag as the Russian flag," he admitted, "but you can use the colours on the car.

"In the end, it's the athlete which cannot display the Russian flag, not the team. The team is an American team."

Asked about Mazepin's involvement in the team, Dmitry having previously tried to buy Force India, Steiner explained: "Nikita is the driver and Uralkali is the title partner of the team, it is called the Uralkali Haas F1 Team and therefore with that comes some benefits but it is the company which sponsors us.

"That is the role they play at the moment," he added, "Mr. Mazepin, as you know, owns the company or is the biggest/only shareholder of the company and his son drives for us.

"But in the end it is Uralkali which sponsors us and Nikita needs to deliver like any other driver."

Check out our Haas livery reveal gallery, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by RobMartin, 06/03/2021 7:56

"Such a difference between "red, white and blue" vs "white, blue and red"
Uralkali colours seem to be "red, green and white"..."

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2. Posted by kenji, 06/03/2021 2:00

"I think that the original design was won in a competition run throughout the Russian gulag system for inmates in solitary confinement. The prize for the winning entry was warmer winter clothing for the winner and a free day from toiling in the quarry making little stones from big ones. Now that they've caught the eye of WADA they are being offered a chance to re design and they should grab it with both hands and try to come up with something a bit more appealing and creative!!!"

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3. Posted by C5, 05/03/2021 20:50

""But in the end it is Uralkali which sponsors us and Nikita needs to deliver THE CASH like any other driver."

There, fixed it for ya, Gunther.

Also, with Uralkali being the sponsor, shouldn't the car be in the Uralkali colors then?
"

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4. Posted by C5, 05/03/2021 18:06

"No, no. Our glorious car do not show Russian flag. Only colors of Russian flag."

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5. Posted by Apexing, 05/03/2021 17:45

"@ Max Noble I'm sure they're quaking in their boots at the threat of another Sternly Worded Letter..."

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6. Posted by Superbird70, 05/03/2021 13:38

"It's ok. They have an alternate livery. Mostly red with a little gold hammer and sickle. Kind of nostalgic."

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7. Posted by Max Noble, 05/03/2021 12:54

"Blame Lance Armstrong and all is good. That world class slap on the wrist has really taught the entire Russian system a huge lesson. Man they are now terrified of offending the West..."

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Haas livery does not circumvent Russia ban, insists Steiner

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