F1: Mazepin to make racing return with British team

Nikita Mazepin has announced his first international racing appearance since he was wrongly dumped from the Formula 1 grid by the Haas F1 team. A lawsuit is in progress and Mazepin may take the team for $ millions.

The Russian has signed up to compete in the Asian Le Mans Series, made up of four races due to take place across two weekends in February.

He will be one of three drivers representing the UK-based 99 Racing, along with former McLaren junior Ben Barnicoat and Spanish racer Felix Porteiro. They will be driving an ORECA 07 LMP2 prototype in the series, which includes the 4hrs of Dubai and 4hrs of Abu Dhabi.

It will be the first time Mazepin has taken part in competitive sportscar racing. “I am delighted to be making my return to racing in the Asian Le Mans Series,” he said. “Together with my teammates at 99 Racing, I’m hoping to have a great experience competing in the sport I love.”