Former Haas Driver Nikita Mazepin Cleared to Return to Racing in Europe

Russian ex-Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin was Thursday cleared to return to motor racing in Europe, a 12 months after his profession was introduced to a halt by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The 23-year-old Mazepin had been racing in the world championship for the Haas staff which was financed by the Uralkali firm owned by his father Dmitry.

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Both his contract and the title sponsorship of the staff had been cancelled on the outbreak of the warfare.

The European Union’s General Court on Thursday lifted a few of the sanctions towards Nikita Mazepin, a call which permits him to journey and try to resurrect his profession on the continent.

The EU had sanctioned him as his father’s firm had “exercise in financial sectors which represent a considerable supply of revenue” for Russia.

Thursday’s order nonetheless prevents Mazepin from competing for a staff which has hyperlinks both to his father or anybody already sanctioned by the EU.

“In the event of recruitment” in F1 or in one other motorsport going down on European territory, Nikita Mazepin “should undertake to race underneath a impartial flag and to signal the dedication of the drivers required by the International Automobile Federation to this impact,” said the declaration.

Mazepin, who has recently been racing in Asia, welcomed the decision by the EU body.

“I am very happy with this decision which gives me hope to resume my professional career in international motor racing,” he instructed AFP.

“I’ll do my greatest to make up for misplaced time and look ahead to rejoin the game that I really like, to which I’ve devoted my life.”

His legal team told AFP that the order was a “rare” resolution.

The General Court dominated that Mazepin “is in no method concerned in the aggression suffered by Ukraine and doesn’t train any exercise in financial sectors which give a considerable supply of revenue” to Russia.

“He has always maintained a neutral position on the war as a professional athlete,” added the order.

“He solely asks that he be given the chance to pursue his profession … with out the monetary help of his father.”

In explaining its decision, the court said that the European Council did not “provide convincing evidence” displaying that the ex-Haas driver “ought to be thought of as nonetheless being linked to his father”.

Mazepin endured a tough single season in Formula 1, ending the 2021 season in 21st place and without a single point to his name.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed)