Nikita Mazepin returns to European motoring after EU sanctions lifted

Nikita Mazepin participates in GT3 tests in Hungary after sanctions imposed by European Union lifted

Former Formula One driver Nikita Mazepin participated in a GT3 test in Hungary after sanctions imposed against him by the European Union were lifted earlier this year.
In a March 20 ruling by the General Court of the European Union, Mazepin was officially removed from the list of those sanctioned as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The EU concluded that there was no reason why Mazepin should remain subject to restrictive measures since there were no obvious links between him and his father Dmitry, who was also placed on the sanctions list.
After the Council of the EU decided not to appeal the court’s decision, the sanctions annulment ruling took effect May 30, allowing Mazepin to enter the EU for the first time in years.

The Russian driver took advantage of the decision to travel to the new Balton Park circuit in Hungary to test an LMGT3 car, presumably a Ferrari 296 GT3, in his continuing quest for more opportunities in the racing world.
“I am happy that the EU has recognized that athletes like me, who have nothing to do with politics, should not be subject to sanctions. I hope that all athletes who are currently unable to participate in international competitions due to geopolitics can return to their rightful place in the sports community.”, he said in an interview about the situation, showing that he is very motivated to return to the track.

Haas and Mazepin: an ongoing battle

Mazepin lost his F1 seat after just one season with Haas in 2021, after the American team terminated his contract following Russia’s attack on Ukraine in early 2022.
With this decision he also terminated his sponsorship contract with Uralkali, a Russian fertilizer company run by Mazepin’s father Dmitry.

Shortly thereafter Haas and Uralkali ended up in court.
Uralkali demanded a refund of $13 million after claiming that its contract had been breached.
Just last month, a Swiss arbitration court issued a ruling in this long-running case, authorizing Haas to keep a portion of the sponsorship fee that covered their agreement until its termination on March 4, 2022, and obligating it to repay the remaining amount.

The amount Haas has to repay is a sum of about $9 million out of the $13 million Uralkali had paid in advance for the second year of their contract in 2022. In addition, Haas must pay Nikita Mazepin half of the salary he would have received in the 2022 season.

Photo: Nikita Mazepin