“It’s great that at least part of the restrictions were removed from Mazepin and allowed to negotiate” – Petrov

Russian racing driver Vitaly Petrov is pleased that the European Court of Justice has allowed racing driver Nikita Mazepin to compete in Formula 1.

On Thursday, the court ruled that Mazepin has the right to enter the EU to negotiate and conclude agreements with a racing team or with sponsors not associated with his father, Dmitry Mazepin, “as the main or reserve driver of Formula 1 or other series held by under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)”, to participate in races, sponsorships and promotions at the request of its racing team or sponsors, and to participate in championships, Grand Prix, races, training sessions, tests in EU Member States.

– Mazepin initially fell into a different situation. He was taken out of Haas by the decision of the team. This is rather a special case, because he also got into the EU sanctions lists along with his father. Of course, it’s great that at least part of the restrictions were removed from Nikita and allowed to negotiate. I think his case should become an example so that the rest of our athletes can also defend their interests in this way. People will see that if not in their own international federations, then in the European Court of Justice they can protect their rights, Petrov told RT.

Mazepin came under EU sanctions a year ago. He was a driver for the Haas team in the 2021 season and finished 21st in the final standings. In March 2022, it was announced that the team would end their partnership with him.

This season, Mazepin participates in the Asian Le Mans Series.