Haas unveiled an eye-catching new design for its VF-21 car on Friday that featured the red, white and blue colors of the Russian flag to reflect new title sponsor Uralkali who is the supporter of driver Nikita Mazepin.
However, she raised concerns about compliance with a judgment by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) that announced in December that Russian athletes would be banned from participating in world championships for the next two years.
The ban related to state-sponsored doping and cover-ups at the 2014 Winter Olympics after investigations by WADA, which had recommended a four-year ban.
The Russian Automobile Federation confirmed in February that this would extend to the FIA World Championship, which means Mazepin will not be able to drive under the Russian flag this year.
Also read:
Mazepin is also prohibited from using national emblems, flags or symbols, as well as the word “Russia” or “Russian” on its clothing or equipment.
Haas claimed his livery was not intended to circumvent the CAS ruling, but WADA has revealed that it is looking into the matter.
“WADA is aware of this matter and is examining it with the relevant authorities,” a WADA spokesman told Motorsport.com.
The uncertainty seems to lie in the clause of the judgment that Russian athletes “must not be displayed publicly.” […] a national emblem or other national symbol of the Russian Federation including, but not limited to, their clothing, equipment, or other personal effects. “
Following a request for a comment from Motorsport.com on compliance with the Haas livery, the FIA said, “The team has clarified the livery with the FIA - the CAS decision does not prohibit the use of the colors of the Russian flag.”
The first statement by the Russian Automobile Federation said that Mazepin and other Russian drivers could continue to use the colors of the Russian flag and the acronym RAF, which stands for “Russian Automobile Federation”, at FIA World Championships.
“Of course we can’t use the Russian flag as a Russian flag, but you can use colors on a car,” said Haas F1 boss Gunther Steiner. “In the end it is the athlete who cannot fly the Russian flag and not the team. The team is an American team.”
Mazepin said Thursday that it was “very unfortunate” that the ban came into effect before his first F1 season in which he is expected to compete as a neutral athlete from Russia.
“I am currently still in a discussion about how I will be classified,” said Mazepin. “There is no decision yet.”
The post WADA investigates Haas F1 livery under Russian flag ban first appeared on monter-une-startup.
