The sanction lifted from the Russian driver Nikita Mazepin who will be able to return to racing in Formula 1 and on European soil

The President of the Court of the European Union published this Wednesday a mandate suspending part of the sanctions related to Ukrainian war imposed against the Russian pilot Nikita Mazepinwhich would allow him a return to Formula 1, one of his lawyers told AFP on Thursday.

This urgent mandate, published pending the decision on the merits of the matter, allows Mazepin to travel to EU territory to sign a contract with a team and subsequently compete in any automotive disciplineincluding Formula 1, on European soil.

Nikita Mazepin has been fired from the Haas F1 team following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in March 2022 he joined an EU-sanctioned list of Russian personalities, which also includes his father, Dimitry Mazepin, owner and CEO of the chemical manufacturer Uralchem.

The EU considered Nikita Mazepin to be “related to an influential businessman (his father) with activities in economic sectors which constitute a substantial source of income” for Russia.

Dimitry Mazepin has always supported his son’s career, arrived in Haas in 2021 accompanied by the sponsorship of the Russian group Uralkaliof which Dimitry Mazepin is a shareholder through Uralchem.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine (at the end of February 2022), the American team Haas broke the contract sponsorship with Uralkali.

The mandate of the EU on the other hand, it does not allow Mazepin to compete in a team that has relations with his father or with any other person on the sanctioned list.

In the event of signing for a team and competing again, Mazepin must commit to doing so “under a neutral flag and sign the drivers’ undertaking required by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile to that end”says the text.

“I am very happy with this decision, which gives me hope of resuming my professional career in international motor racing,” Mazepin reacted in statements reported by the AFP agency.

“I will do everything I can to make up for lost time and can’t wait to get back to the sport I love, to which I have dedicated my life.“, He added.