The European Court allowed the Russian driver Nikita Mazepin to participate in the Formula 1 competition in a neutral status. Since last year, he and his father, oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, have been under personal EU sanctions for supporting the war against Ukraine.
“The suspension of the impugned measures, insofar as they concern the applicant, should be limited to what is strictly necessary to enable him to negotiate employment as a professional Formula 1 driver or driver in other championships. rallies held also or only in the European Union, and to participate in the Formula 1 Grand Prix, tests, practices and free rides, as well as other championships, races, tests, practices and free rides taking place in the European Union" , says the court order.
Mazepin competed in the Formula 1 World Championship with the Haas team in the 2021 season. On March 5, 2022, Haas announced they were ending their partnership. After that, he founded the We Compete As One "Aid Fund for Athletes Suspended from Competition for Non-Sporting Reasons". On May 31, Mazepin demanded that his inclusion on the list of those under restrictions be reviewed. In November, he filed an application for the annulment of restrictions, and in December – for the court to take interim measures.
The Mazepins were included in the EU sanctions list on March 9, two weeks after the start of a full-scale invasion. The European Union lists them as Russians who "provide support and benefit from the government of the Russian Federation or provide it with a significant source of income." It is alleged that Dmitry Mazepin met with Vladimir Putin on the day the war began.