Source: Panoramic/FLORENT GOODEN
[Saba Sports News] Russian driver Nikita Mazepin has not participated in Formula One for over two years. Nikita Mazepin is the son of Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, whose net worth is approximately $2.4 billion, largely derived from Uralchem, a chemical giant founded in 2007. In March 2022, following the outbreak of military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Nikita Mazepin’s father was suspected of providing substantial funding to the Russian government, leading to his dismissal from Haas F1 Team and subsequent sanctions from the EU. Since then, the 25-year-old driver has not secured a seat with any other F1 team but has been honing his driving skills in other racing fields. In May this year, F1 lifted sanctions against Mazepin, paving the way for his return to F1. The European Court ruled that Mazepin’s removal from Haas F1 Team did not justify his continued listing as a sanctioned individual within the EU and noted that familial ties alone were insufficient to meet EU sanction standards. Earlier, Hitech Racing from the UK officially confirmed its application to join F1 for the 2026 season. Hitech’s new team principal Oliver Oakes has previously collaborated with Nikita Mazepin in Formula 2 and Formula 3 races, which could facilitate his joining the team. Given that driver lineups for the 2025 season are largely settled, it seems that Nikita Mazepin may have to wait until the 2026 season for a potential return to F1.