The former Formula 1 driver, Nikita mazepin, will be able to return to racing in Europe. The XNUMX-year-old from Moscow, unlike other Russian pilots such Robert Schwartzman, Daniil Kvyat ed Alexander Smolyan, was banned by the entire European Union as the son of a Russian oligarch (the father Dmitry, close to the President of the Russian Federation).
This sanction, albeit in a very limited way, allows Mazepin to re-enter the European Union for certain possibilities related to the world of motorsport. Let's go into detail.
The European court: Mazepin in the list of sanctions without clear evidence
A much broader process could be required, since the European Union does not have clear evidence of both the presence in Formula 1 of Mazepin only thanks to the sponsorship of uralkali, both because be just a relative of another member on the sanctions list it does not automatically imply that the relative benefits such as to violate the list. Simply put, just because Nikita is the son of an oligarch does not mean that he would have acted in a way that would benefit his father by violating the sanctions.
In this sense, the Court has established that the effects of the list of persons under sanction they do not apply to Nikita Mazepin, but solo to enable him to seek a place in the world of motorsport. Mazepin will then be able to enter the European Union to seek agreements with sponsors and teams that are not related to his father or other members of the list. Nikita will also be able to enter Europe to compete either as a third driver, or in any series that allows him to renew his Super Licence. He will also be able to be examined by sports doctors linked to the FIA or the team, and will be able to open a current account to receive salaries, bonuses and benefits linked to the team or sponsors. Finally, he will be allowed to use a credit card for travel in Europe, but only for piloting.
The only constraint (already present through the FIA) is that, should he compete, he will have to do so as a neutral driver and by signing the neutrality pact required by the FIA. We also underline how, from 2023, this pact is required only of pilots with Russian citizenship only. Pilots such as Schwartzman or Bedrin (who races in Formula 3 this year) will be able to use their second nationality without having to sign any documents.
In short, a great victory for Nikita mazepin, who commented to Russia's leading news agency, the TASS, in this way:
"I am very satisfied. Now I can resume my career, and I'll do everything I can to make up for all the time I've lost. I can't wait to get back to playing the sport I love”.
