Mazepin urges F1 return for both himself and Russia

Nikita Mazepin believes both he and Russia still have a rightful place in Formula 1, more than two years after his departure from the sport.

The former Haas driver, now 26, was abruptly removed from the team in early 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The decision also terminated Haas’ title sponsorship agreement with Uralkali, the chemicals firm owned by Mazepin’s father, Dmitry.

Since then, Mazepin has pursued various legal efforts to restore his racing career in Europe, including action against the European Union in hopes of reversing sanctions that limit his ability to travel.

Despite these barriers, the Russian driver remains determined to return to high-level motorsport, and F1 in particular.

"I hope that, in some form, I and Russia as a whole will return to Formula 1," he told Russian news agency TASS. "We are truly needed there. It was not for nothing that we occupied our effective place in the Grand Prix."

Before the war, there had been talk of creating a Russian-backed Formula 1 team, reportedly with support from powerful Kremlin-linked figures.

Those ambitions vanished once Russia’s isolation from international sport intensified. Even the country’s Formula 1 race was cancelled.

The Russian Grand Prix, originally held in Sochi, was set to move to Igora Drive near St Petersburg in 2023, but those plans were scrapped indefinitely.

Nonetheless, Mazepin remains adamant that F1 should not shut Russia out for good, saying: "I still believe Russia has a place in Formula 1."