UK High Court rejects Nikita Mazepin’s appeal to overturn sanctions imposed on him following Russia’s Ukraine invasion

Mazepin is also legally challenging the sanctions imposed on him by the Canadian government as well.

UK High Court rejects Nikita Mazepin’s appeal to overturn sanctions imposed on him following Russia’s Ukraine invasion

Nikita Mazepin

Former Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin lost the recent round of his legal fight against sanctions imposed on him by the United Kingdom. The sanctions were charged after Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. Nikita Mazepin’s father, Dmitry Mazepin, is also subject to the sanction because of his alleged ties with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Mazepin legally challenged the sanction imposed on him by the UK. However, it was rejected by the high court. The sanctions included a ban on traveling to the UK and a freezing of his assets. The European Union, as well as Canada, have also charged penalties to the Russian driver. His lawyers argued that for Mazepin to negotiate F1 deals with teams, the travel ban must be lifted for his future.

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“The claimant is a relatively prominent public figure and a racing driver,” the judge said, referring to Mazepin’s status. “I accept that the perception may arise, at least in some sections of the public, that there are always ways around the UK sanctions regime,” the judge continued. The lawyers speaking for the government also mentioned that the sanctions are important because of Britain’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Mazepin’s lawyers stated that these sanctions were “draconian” and “unfair.” An argument was also made that there is no evidence to suggest the Russians’ ties with Vladimir Putin. Another trial, this time against Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, will be held on the 19th of July.

Also read: Nico Hulkenberg urges Haas F1 team to focus on their race pace following a disastrous Spanish GP

Nikita Mazepin’s failed Formula One career

Mazepin
Nikita Mazepin (Credits: @FormulaDirecta)

Nikita Mazepin made his F1 debut with Haas F1 in 2021, partnering rookie teammate Mick Schumacher. Unfortunately for the two drivers Haas, that year was not a competitive car, but a driver still has his teammate to challenge. Even though both rookies struggled, Mazepin was far off the German’s pace.

Schumacher out-qualified his teammate on only 3 occasions, with a pace deficit of over 0.9 seconds, the worse on the grid. A new chassis was developed for Mazepin after he complained about it being heavier than his teammate’s. His results did improve marginally, but it wasn’t enough to save his disastrous season. Mazepin finished 21st in a 20-driver competition after being beaten by two-race reserve driver Robert Kubica.

 After Russia’s invasion, Haas F1 dismissed Urakali as their title sponsor. Uralkali is owned by Uralchem, a Russian chemicals and mining company chaired and part-owned by Nikita’s father. Haas terminated Mazepin’s contract at the start of 2022, as his seat depended on sponsorship money.

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