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WADA "aware" of Haas livery

NEWS STORY
06/03/2021

The World Anti-Doping Agency is to look into the livery adorning the Haas F1 cars, amidst claims that it fails to comply with the ban on Russian athletes sporting their national colours.

When the American team revealed its 2021 contender on Friday it was sporting not only the logo of new title sponsor, Uralkali but what appeared to be the white, red and blue of the Russian flag.

This, of course, would contravene World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) ban on Russian athletes competing in world championship events following the revelation of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Due to the ban it had already been revealed that Nikita Mazepin cannot race under the Russian flag, nor can his clothing or car show any symbols, flags or even the word Russia.

Ignoring the fact that Uralkali's corporate colours appear to be red and green, Haas team boss, Guenther Steiner was quick to deny the suggestion that the livery is a deliberate attempt to circumvent the ban.

"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."

However, WADA is not convinced, confirming that it is "aware of this matter and is looking into it with the relevant authorities".

Drawn on the controversy, the FIA told Motorsport.com: "The team has clarified the livery with the FIA, the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) decision does not prohibit the use of the colours of the Russian flag".

Meanwhile, the Russian Automobile Federation insists that Mazepin and other Russian drivers in FIA world championships may still use the red, white and blue of the Russian flag.

With the start of the season just weeks away, Mazepin is still unclear how he will be officially classified.

"Currently I'm still in a discussion on how I will be classified," he said. "There is no decision yet.

"It's very unfortunate that the year that I have achieved my goal that this has happened," he added. "It's not for me to judge or decide in any way."

Check out our Haas livery reveal gallery, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

 

1. Posted by Rock Doc, 08/03/2021 17:59

"There's a Russian flag draped across the back of the car. It may not be flag shaped but the use of White Blue Red is the Russian flag.

All they have to do is swap the colors and it would be fine. Swap the Blue and white and your done. Why push for a ruling and cause a problem ... Oh yes free publicity ... Sorry my bad."

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2. Posted by Pete, 07/03/2021 2:40

"Totally stupid!!"

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3. Posted by Tardis40, 06/03/2021 14:52

"Ridiculous"

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4. Posted by Lakota, 06/03/2021 13:39

"Haas is a American team. Red White Blue. Enough said "

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5. Posted by flyinglap, 06/03/2021 11:26

"Just to be clear, "we may not like it, but it is their money and their team", referring to the Williams livery :)"

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6. Posted by flyinglap, 06/03/2021 11:22

"This is going too far, and it is clearly politically motivated. Ultimately, the FIA declares that the use of the colors of the Russian flag is not prohibited (on the cars), therefore end of story. And yes, that is a Russian flag alright, draped over the back of the Haas, and yes, Urakali's corporate colors are red and green but they are free to choose white, red and blue instead, in this instance. The same way that the new owners of Williams choose to use a striped motif on their livery (and call it 'Williams DNA'). We may not like it, but it is their money and their team. As for the question of doping, it is quite a complicated one, and it is warfare on a grand scale involving countries and multinational corporate sponsors. No one can be so naive to believe that athletes simply eat their vegetables and cereals and take their vitamins and go to the gym six times a week, and therefore they are able to impove their records season after season and punctually set Olympic and world records every four years. WADA are the arbiters of all that, and they "may not be" immune from collusion."

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7. Posted by Mad Matt, 06/03/2021 10:41

"Not sure I'd blame Haas, it's more a WADA issue. If there has been wide spread cheating on the scale they suggest then there should have been a proper punishment and not this half hearted slap on the wrist."

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8. Posted by Wokingchap, 06/03/2021 10:22

"I had much respect for the Haas team but they are unfortunately losing it."

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