Russian driver Nikita Mazepin announced in an Instagram post that he now plans to turn to priorities other than motor sports.
Pushed out of F1 at the start of the 2022 season when Russia intensified its war against Ukraine by invading the country, the international community reacted. This also concerned the various sporting federations, including the FIA, not allowing Russian-licensed drivers.
While at winter testing in Barcelona to prepare for the new 2022 season, the Haas team hastily withdrew its sponsor Uralkali, a company owned by Nikita Mazepin’s father, and the latter was closed the doors of F1.
Mazepin announces his retirement and settles accounts with the FIA
In his publication on Instagram, Nikita Mazepin took the opportunity to announce that he was retiring from motor sports to concentrate on his personal projects, but also took advantage of the message to recall that he had won his case against the governing bodies of the F1.
I wanted to thank the many friends and fans who have sent me their congratulations now that I am officially removed from the sanctions list in Europe. It lasted more than two long years, and the courts ruled in my favor. Of course, I’m delighted. At the same time, I wonder what purpose it served to be sanctioned at a crucial moment in my career, only for the European court to later decide that it was a huge mistake.
Many of you are wondering what I’m going to do now.
Time puts things into perspective. And I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on my past and my future. I think I can say that the first act of my life was truly shaped by my desire to be the best in motorsport. The love of speed. The excitement of competition. Climb the ranks in karting, then in F3 and F2. The quest for a seat in Formula 1. In part, this dream came true, I tasted this universe and I loved it. Really. This season was difficult, I had to take some hits. But I lived in hope of the next season, with a new car and a little experience.
As we all know, that season didn’t happen. We also know the reasons. And that was the abrupt end of my Act 1. It was painful to see the F1 world move forward without me. The court’s decision is satisfactory, but the truth is that I cannot get those years back… those crucial years in the life and development of any professional athlete.
Today, at 25, I realize it’s time to look to the future, not the past. The time has come to write the next act of my life as an adult, with dreams no longer about speed and trophies, but about applying my mind and finding my purpose. This will come through completing my studies, hard work and taking care of my spiritual well-being.
I would like to express a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me and even those who haven’t during my motorsport career. All of this made me stronger. So, although you won’t see me return to Formula 1, I will be happy to share news of my next steps.
