F1: Sebatian Vettel Unveils 'No War' Helmet At Bahrain Test
Highlights
Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel has been one of the most outspoken drivers about the situation in Ukraine with regard to the Russian invasion of the Eastern European country. On the day of the invasion, he was the first driver to speak out against it and said that he wouldn't race in Russia if the race went ahead. Now, at the second pre-season test in Bahrain, the 4-time world champion has unveiled a new helmet that says "No War" and has the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag.
The FIA and the Liberty media also had all the drivers on the grid take a photo together with a new "No War" slogan something the Grand Prix Driver's Association (GDPA) has pushed as well. Vettel's helmet also takes the 'No War' insignia from the GDPA. They have also unveiled 'No War' T-shirts that have the same sunflower symbol which is in Ukraine's national colours.
In wake of ther Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Haas team terminated the contract of its Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and also dropped the UralKali branding from its car. Uralkali is the chemical company owned by Russian Oligarch Dimitri Mazepin who is Nikita Mazepin's father and is said to be close to Russian president Vladimir Putin. In fact, Dimitri Mazepin met Putin on the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Nikita Mazepin in the meanwhile has been replaced by former Haas driver Kevin Magnussen who returns to F1 after a hiatus of a year.
The FIA has mandated that all drivers of Russian origin cannot use the Russian flag but rather have to use a neutral flag. All F1 drivers have come out against the war in Ukraine and have lobbied for an end to the hostilities.
Last Updated on March 10, 2022