The head of the European Court of Justice on Wednesday suspended part of the Ukraine war-related sanctions against Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, allowing him to compete in Formula One, one of his lawyers told AFP on Thursday.

Dmytro Mazepin and his son Nikita together with Putin and other officials from MoscowPhoto: Mykhailo Klimentiev / TASS / Profimedia Images

The order, issued pending a decision on the merits, allows him to travel to the European Union to try to sign a contract with the team and, if successful, compete in any motoring competition, including F1, on European soil.

Nikita Mazepin was removed from the Haas Formula 1 team after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in early March 2022, together with his father, the oligarch Dmytro Mazepin, owner and managing director, he was added to the list of Russian figures who fell under EU sanctions. manufacturer of chemical products Uralkhim.

The EU believed that Nikita Mazepin “is connected to an influential businessman (his father) who works in sectors of the economy that are a significant source of income” for Russia.

Dmytro Mazepin supported his son’s racing career from the very beginning. In 2021, Nikita Mazepin joined the Haas F1 team, arriving with a new team sponsor: the Russian group Uralkali, of which Dmytro Mazepin is a shareholder through Uralchem.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Americans from Haas broke off their partnership with Uralkali.

The order prevents Mazepin from competing for a team linked to his father or for anyone under EU sanctions.

“In case of employment” in Formula 1 or other types of motor sports taking place on European territory, Nikita Mazepin “must undertake to participate in competitions under a neutral flag and sign a driver’s commitment that requires Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile”. shown in order.

“I am very happy with this decision, which gives me hope to resume my professional career in international motor racing,” Mazepin told AFP. “I will do my best to make up for lost time and look forward to returning to the sport I love and have dedicated my life to,” he added.

His entourage welcomed the “rare” decision.

  • Reference: Russian Nikita Mazepin, dismissed by Haas, refuses to return to Formula 1 under a neutral flag: “I will not surrender my country”