Nikita Mazepin has ruled out a potential F1 return despite having his sanctions lifted by the European Union.
The European Union had imposed sanctions on Mazepin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which included freezing assets and banning him from entering EU member states.
The former Formula 1 driver faced restrictions due to his association with his father, Dmitry Mazepin, a prominent businessman with ties to the Russian government.
However, a recent ruling by the EU’s General Court determined that there was insufficient evidence to maintain these restrictions against Nikita, stating that the familial relationship alone did not warrant continued sanctions.
Despite his legal victory and having the sanctions lifted on Wednesday, Nikita Mazepin has publicly stated that he does not foresee a potential F1 return in the near future.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, the Russian expressed his feelings of loss regarding the crucial years he missed in his racing career while under sanction.
“It has been more than two long years, and the courts have rendered their decision in my favor,” he wrote. “Of course, I am elated. At the same time, I ask myself what was it all for – to be sanctioned at a vital point in my career, only to have the European court decide that it was all a giant mistake.
“Many of you have asked what is next for me. As we all know, that season didn’t happen. The reasons – we also all know. And that was the abrupt end to my Act 1.
“It has been painful to watch everyone at F1 moving forward and to not be a part of it. Vindication in the courts is sweet, but the truth is that I can’t get those years back… those essential years in the life and development of any professional athlete.
“Which leaves me now, at the ripe old age of 25, realizing it is time to look forward, not back. The time has come to write the next act of my life as an adult, with dreams tied, not to speed and trophies, but to applying my mind, and to finding my purpose.
“This will come with completing my education, working hard, and taking good care of my spirit along the way. I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me – and even to those who have not throughout my time in motor racing.
“It has all made me stronger. So, while you will not be seeing an F1 return for me, I will be happy to share news with you on my next steps.”
Nikita Mazepin’s career in Formula 1 was brief but tumultuous. He made his debut with Haas F1 Team in 2021 but struggled significantly throughout that season, finishing with no points and only managing a best result of 14th place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
His tenure was abruptly cut short when Haas terminated his contract in March 2022 due to the geopolitical fallout from Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The decision not only ended his time in F1 but also severed the team’s sponsorship deal with Uralkali, a Russian fertilizer company owned by his father.
Following the lifting of sanctions earlier this year, Mazepin was able to return to competitive racing in other formats. He participated in the Asian Le Mans Series and recently completed a GT3 test in Hungary, showcasing his desire to remain involved in motorsport albeit outside of F1.
