Nikita Mazepin: “It’s time to write the next act of life, in which dreams are not associated with speed”

Russian racing driver Nikita Mazepin said that, despite the lifting of sanctions against him by the authorities of Switzerland and the European Union, he does not plan to return to Formula 1.

The decision to remove Mazepin from the Swiss sanctions list was made on September 24. Previously, the Russian was excluded from sanctions by the European Union.

“More than two long years have passed, and the court ruled in my favor. Of course I’m happy. At the same time, I ask myself why all this was necessary – to get sanctioned at the most important moment of my career, so that later the European court would decide that it was all a huge mistake.

Time puts everything in its place. And I had enough time to think about both my past and my future. I think I can now say that the first phase of my life was truly shaped and dedicated to becoming the best in motorsport. Love of speed. The thrill of competition. I went through karting, then Formula 3 and Formula 2. The pursuit of a place in Formula 1. And partly this dream came true, I tasted this world and fell in love with it. For real. That season was tough and I had to take some public blows. But I lived with the promise of next season, with a new car and a little experience under my belt.

As we all know, that season didn’t happen. The reasons are also known to everyone. This is how my first act ended abruptly. It was painful to watch everyone in Formula 1 move forward and not be a part of it. Getting acquitted in court is great, but the truth is, I can’t get those years back…those important years in the life and development of any professional athlete. So now, at the ripe age of 25, I realize it’s time to look forward, not back. It’s time to write the next act of my adult life, in which dreams are not about speed and trophies, but about using your mind and finding your purpose. This will happen if I complete my education, work hard, and take care of my spirit along the way.

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported me – and even those who didn’t – throughout my time in racing. All this made me stronger. And although I have no plans to return to Formula 1, I will be happy to share with you news about my next steps,” Mazepin wrote on his page on social networks.

In March, the European Court of General Jurisdiction ruled to lift EU sanctions imposed against the Russian racing driver. The resolution noted that solely a family connection with his father Dmitry Mazepin is not enough for the sanctions to apply to the athlete. In 2022, he was included in the list of persons subject to restrictive measures adopted by the EU in connection with the situation in Ukraine. This led, in particular, to the freezing of his funds and a ban on entry into the territory of EU member states.

Mazepin competed for the American team Haas in Formula 1 in the 2021 season and took 21st place in the final standings. In March 2022, it was announced that the team was ending cooperation with the Russian. In early spring 2023, the European Court ruled that Mazepin has the right to enter the EU to participate in races, Grand Prix, training and tests.

• “This is a big victory for me” – racer Mazepin on the lifting of sanctions from Switzerland