Former Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin has been removed from the European sanctions list. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mazepin was placed on this special list by the European Union due to his father, oligarch Dmitry Mazepin’s close ties with Russian President, Vladimir Putin. However, it was announced this week that Nikita has been taken off the sanctions list.
Nikita Mazepin raced for the Haas team for one season in 2021. The Russian driver was known for his mediocre performances and numerous blunders on the track. In the lead up to the 2022 season, he was replaced by Kevin Magnussen following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mazepin also ended up on a sanctions list of the European Union, which made it difficult for him to leave his home country.
However, the 25-year-old driver was removed from the list by the Council of the European Union this week. As a result, he is now free to leave Russia. Haas had a dispute with Uralkali, Nikita Mazepin’s main sponsor, at Zandvoort. The American racing team owed the fertilizer giant millions of euros. Uralkali seized all of Haas’s equipment, forcing the team to transfer the money immediately.
