Nikita Mazepin will not be returning to F1 right away
Like all Russian athletes since the invasion of Ukraine, Nikita Mazepin has been banned from all international competitions in motorsports. In order to return, the FIA wanted him to sign a document denouncing Russia's actions. The driver did not want to and remains sidelined for the moment.
Nikita Mazepin is sentenced to watching the Formula 1 championship from home. The driver, who was with Haas, was forced to do so after the invasion of Ukraine, which prevents any Russian athlete from participating in a competition outside their country.
The FIA tried to reintegrate him by having him sign a contract denouncing Russia’s actions in Ukraine, but Mazepin declined the offer. He would prefer to be able to participate in Formula 1 while remaining neutral, which means not representing any country.
« I was one of the first to receive this document last March. But I really want athletes to have the possibility to remain neutral.
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Another possibility presents itself to him. It would be possible for him to participate in international sports events if he were to change nationality. But he doesn’t want to “betray” his country and prefers to stay as he is.
However, other high-level athletes have complied with this, such as the driver Robert Shwartzman who obtained Israeli nationality or Konstantin Zhiltsov, a co-pilot at Dakar.
« You can’t blame anyone for that. We are athletes and everyone has their own choice. Zhiltsov is not the only one, Shwartzman did the same. But it’s a matter of personal considerations. If you want to leave your country for the sake of sports, it’s your choice. But I won’t do it.
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The Russian driver remains steadfast in his position and will have to wait for Russia to stop the war for him to be able to drive in F1 again.
