F1 News: Mazepin urges end to sanctions for Russian athletes

(GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he hopes a “warming of relations” between Russia and Formula 1’s governing body occurs soon.

The Russian, and his sponsor Uralkali – run by his father Dmitry – were expelled from Formula 1 at the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis three years ago.

Since then, Russians have struggled to be welcome not only in FIA-sanctioned motor racing events, but in most Western-led international sports.

In October last year, Mazepin’s father Dmitry was elected president of the Russian Aquatics Federation. The move preceded the return of Russian athletes to world championship swimming at the Budapest short course event in Budapest in December.

Now, 25-year-old Nikita Mazepin is hoping for similar progress with the FIA.

“There is hope for a warming of relations with the FIA,” the former Haas driver told Tass news agency. “But warming does not happen by itself, but when someone is closely involved in it.

“Swimming has active support in the form of my father, and I see how much time he devotes to flying to other countries to personally negotiate, so that our athletes are invited to competitions, given equal rights with everyone else and have opportunities to set records.

“Unfortunately, in motorsport we do not have such a leader now, but I hope that the trend of Russian athletes returning to the world arena will continue,” Mazepin added.

“I hope that we will soon see Olympians, Paralympians, racing drivers, swimmers and everyone else on a regular basis at world championships. And not just with a neutral status, but with the Russian flag and anthem.”

July 3, 2024

(GMM) Former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin hopes the time is nearing when Russian athletes like him are no longer penalized for the Russia-Ukraine war.

Since being axed by Haas at the outbreak of the conflict in early 2022, the 25-year-old has been fighting in the courts for the mere right to travel to Europe.

Related Article: Formula 1 News: Mazepin has EU sanctions lifted

Mazepin has secured enough legal victories for now that he is at least back on European soil, testing this week at the wheel of a GT3 Ferrari at the Balaton Park circuit in Hungary.

“I am glad the European Union has recognized that athletes like me, who have no connection to politics, should not be subject to sanctions,” he told Tass news agency.

“I hope that all athletes who are not allowed to compete in international competitions today due to geopolitical reasons will be able to take their rightful place in the sports community again,” Mazepin said.