Can Mazepin return to Formula 1? EU decision could pave the way

The European Union announced that Mazepin, a 25-year-old race car driver, has been added to its sanctions list. This decision was made due to his association with his father, Dmitry, who is a prominent businessman and reportedly the main sponsor of his son’s racing activities. Previously, the European Union had described Dmitry Mazepin as being part of the inner circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, in a recent ruling, the court stated that Mazepin is no longer a driver for the Haas F1 racing team. As a result, the EU was deemed incorrect in keeping him on the sanctions list after his departure from the team. The court explained that the “association” criterion used in the EU sanctions regime requires a connection that goes beyond a simple family relationship, which is no longer the case for Mazepin since he stopped racing in F1. Mazepin expressed his satisfaction with the decision, stating that it is a significant milestone for him. He also challenged the sanctions from the EU and Canada as part of his efforts to return to F1. Currently, he is competing in the Asian Le Mans series, a lesser-known racing league held in the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. The Mazepins allegedly showed interest in establishing their own team, but their attempt to become the 11th team was not approved by the FIA, the F1’s regulatory body. Instead, Andretti Global was given the opportunity. The likelihood of 25-year-old Nikita being hired by an existing team is small. When asked about Mazepin’s plans to return to F1, his spokesperson did not immediately respond. Last month, diplomatic sources revealed that the EU was preparing to lift the sanctions on Mazepin, with Hungary reportedly advocating on his behalf.