Nikita Mazepin may return to Formula 1 thanks to the decision of the European Court of Justice.
Earlier, the athlete, as well as his father, businessman Dmitry Mazepin, came under EU and UK sanctions in March last year.
However, the court ruled that the Russian could negotiate a job as a pilot in F-1 and other series held in the EU.
He will also have the opportunity to visit the countries of the Old World for this purpose.
“He is allowed to enter the EU territory to participate in Formula 1 under the auspices of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), in other championships, training, classes, including for the renewal of the FIA super license and passing a medical examination at the request of the International Automobile Federation”, - said in a statement cited by TASS.
At the same time, there is no talk of exclusion from the sanctions lists.
The athlete's expenses will also be strictly limited, for example, he will not be able to negotiate with structures related to his father's activities.
“The rider is allowed to use a bank account and a credit card only to cover expenses that are necessary for moving around the EU, negotiating and concluding agreements with racing teams or sponsors, as well as for participating in competitions,” the press service of the court added.
Mazepin himself admitted that he was very pleased with the verdict of the court, as it gives him the opportunity to return to international motorsport.
“I will do my best to catch up.
I look forward to returning to the cause to which I devoted most of my life.
Thanks to everyone who supported me and continues to cheer for me, even in the most difficult moments, ”the Match TV pilot quotes.
According to sports lawyer Anna Anceliovich, the young man will now again have the opportunity to compete in the most prestigious competitions on the continent.
In this case, the FIA will be obliged to comply with this decision, since, like other international federations, it is registered in Switzerland.
“The only thing is that he will have to follow the FIA restrictions, for example, to compete in a neutral status - without a flag and an anthem.
Mazepin could well have competed in series on other continents, but since a lawsuit was filed, it means that the emphasis was on European competitions, including Formula 1, ”Anceliovich said in an interview with RT.
Until March last year, the Russian played in the “royal races” for Haas, but soon after the start of the CBO, the team excluded him from the roster.
The contract with the main sponsor Uralkali was also unilaterally terminated.
The company demanded €12 million, already paid under the agreement.
The stable not only disagreed with this, but also expressed a desire to receive an additional €8 million. Allegedly, the imposition of sanctions against Dmitry Mazepin, chairman of the board of directors of the United Chemical Company Uralchem, caused serious damage to reputation.
As for the domestic pilot, he never received the required salary.
Therefore, in the summer he even had to go to court.
“It seems to me that the employer should at least compensate for the salary until the moment of dismissal and, probably, pay some kind of severance pay,” the Championship quotes the rider.
Forced downtime without big races, Mazepin Jr. tried to carry out with the maximum benefit both for himself and for his colleagues.
For example, he created a fund to help domestic athletes suspended from competitions.
Nikita also made his debut in the Silk Way rally-raid.
And at the beginning of 2023, the Russian finally returned.
As part of his own 99 Racing team, he entered the Asian Le Mans Series in the highest category (LMP2).
As part of the competition, the ex-pilot of Haas took part in four races held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The best result was the second place in the latter.
In others, he, along with his partners, showed the third, sixth and seventh time, which allowed him to finish in fourth place in the overall standings.
However, the young man did not hide the fact that the main goal for him was to perform in the “royal races”, and promised to do everything possible for this.
In parallel, rumors appeared about the possible appearance in F-1, starting in 2025, of another former team of Mazepin Jr. Hi-Tech, in which he made his debut in Formula 3.
In March, the long-term manager of the athlete Oliver Oakes became its owner.
Allegedly, the stable is ready to acquire Alpha Tauri, which wants to sell to Red Bull.
But a serious obstacle to the return may be strict FIA rules.
The federation not only requires Russians and Belarusians to perform without a flag and an anthem, but also "to recognize solidarity with the citizens of Ukraine."
According to Vitaly Petrov, the first domestic pilot in the history of Formula 1, these requirements are a significant obstacle.
“It is important to understand that the FIA did not forbid Russian drivers to compete under its own auspices.
It's just that the federation put forward a number of conditions, including the abandonment of the country's flag and the signing of a special declaration on the NWO.
You agree - and, please, you can go to the start.
Another thing is that no one will do this, ”the athlete complained.
Mazepin himself emphasized in the fall that he was not ready to give up his homeland for the sake of sporting success.
However, even now, when the full return of the Russians to international competitions is far away, the story of the racer, according to RT experts, can become an excellent precedent.
“Other domestic athletes may well follow the example of Mazepin.
Although first you need to study the text of the decision and understand the motives for it.
Apparently, in this situation we are talking about the realization of the right to work.
That is, Nikita was deprived of the opportunity to perform professional duties.
Being on the EU sanctions list did not allow him to sign contracts.
This situation can really serve as an example for all Russian athletes, ”Anceliovich suggested.
Petrov agreed with her.
He believes that the athletes, watching the successful litigation of the pilot, may continue to seek protection of their rights in the European Court of Justice, and not in international federations.
“Mazepin initially fell into a different situation.
He was taken out of Haas by 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, ”concluded Petrov.