Formula 1: Top 3 options to replace Nikita Mazepin

With Nikita Mazepin and Uralkali likely to be dropped by the Haas Formula 1 team following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, who will replace him?

It was always trending in this direction following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but now it is all but official: Haas are set to cut ties with title sponsor Uralkali ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season, meaning that Nikita Mazepin will need to be replaced alongside Mick Schumacher.

Nikita’s father Dmitry, who has direct ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is the CEO of Uralchem. Uralchem holds a controlling stake in Uralkali.

Haas stripped their cars and pretty much their entire team of any branding having to do with the Russian fertilizer company ahead of the third and final day of preseason testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last Friday, and they confirmed plans to do the same for the final preseason test at Bahrain International Circuit next week.

That can only mean one thing: Haas need a second driver for 2022. Who is best suited to replace Mazepin?

Top replacement options for Nikita Mazepin: No. 3 – Oscar Piastri

Many believe that Oscar Piastri should be on the Formula 1 grid in 2022 after winning the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup Championship, the 2020 Formula 3 Championship, and the 2021 Formula 2 Championship. This could provide him with an unexpected opening after he initially missed out on a seat.

With Piastri being an Alpine reserve driver who looks poised to replace two-time world champion Fernando Alonso at some point within the next few seasons, Alpine and Haas would need to negotiate some kind of agreement to allow the 20-year-old Australian to compete at the latter without cutting ties with the former.

However, the French team should realize that Piastri gaining Formula 1 experience ahead of schedule should prove beneficial in the long run, especially as they clearly plan for him to drive for them in the near future.