[RahulNagaraj]

Russian Formula 1 racing driver Nikita Mazepin is said to working on heading to courts in the UK to try and make his way back to the sport.

According to reports, the racing driver states that his return to Formula1 has been held up by sanctions imposed by the British government. The sanctions include an asset freeze and travel ban on Mazepin, which according to his lawyers is preventing the racing driver to open negotiations with F1 teams for a potential seat in 2024.



Reports also state that a hearing has been set for June 2023 where Nikita Mazepin will argue for the sanctions to be temporarily lifted while he prepares for a full-legal challenge. This final hearing will take place a month later in July 2023.

Nikita Mazepin was signed by the American F1 team, Haas for the 2021 season. The Russian F1 driver, however, struggled the entire season, ultimately finishing 21st in a lineup of 20 full-time drivers. Nikita's father Dmitry Mazepin even took out a title sponsorship deal with the team. However, as the 2022 season's testing began, Nikita was dropped from the team, along with his dad's title sponsorship because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Adding to this, the Mazepin family even received sanctions imposed by the UK, Canada and Europe because of their close ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: ESPN

Link to Team-BHP news

[Speedshift]

There's no way he's getting back at Haas. Gunther has time and again stated that their sponsorship arrangements are fine without Mazepin senior's money. I can't see a scenario where Haas would part ways with Hulk or Magnussen to make way for Mazepin. He had his stint and now it's over, thanks to his inconsequential performances and Putin.

[Turbohead]

The Mazepin's may get some money for being ousted unceremoniously but there's no way Nikita will get a seat in any F1 team, let alone Haas or any back runner. Dude was more or less 10 seconds to 1 minute behind Mick in every other race.

[kadanaJ]

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

Nikita Mazepin was signed by the American F1 team, Haas for the 2021 season. The Russian F1 driver, however, struggled the entire season, ultimately finishing 21st in a lineup of 20 full-time drivers.

This one line is enough to sum up the real reason Nikita Mazepin was dropped.

The war and the sanctions were mostly a very convenient excuse to oust possibly the worst driver F1 has seen in years.

[Scarlet_Rider]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

This one line is enough to sum up the real reason Nikita Mazepin was dropped.

True. The only highlight of his F1 stint was finishing ahead of HAM in the 2021 Azerbaijan GP!

[anivy]

Mazepin has lost a UK High Court case related to the sanctions imposed on him. There is another case going to trial on 19/July against the UK Foreign Secretary.

Source