Nikita Mazepin’s hopes of returning to the Formula 1 grid in 2024 are looking increasingly bleak, with the Russian driver having not been granted permission to enter the United Kingdom for talks with F1 teams.
A judge at London’s High Court has rejected Mazepin’s attempts to be allowed to enter the UK, where the majority of the teams on the current grid are based.
As a result, Mazepin’s team have effectively ruled out an F1 return in 2024, with his full court challenge in July being “too late” to get a seat sorted.
Mazepin is set to challenge his sanctions by the British government in court next month, as he continues to fight for his motorsport future.
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His team are disappointed by the rejection of Mazepin’s appeal to enter the country; however, they are hopeful that his case in July will have an “honest and fair outcome”.
“Today’s interim decision on interim measures, although disappointing, does not affect the fate of our claim as a whole,” Mazepin’s lawyers said in a statement published by Tass news agency, as reported by Grandpx.news.
“We expect that the claim will be heard on the merits in July, and we have every reason to hope for an honest and fair outcome of the case, which will allow Nikita to fully return to international motorsport,” they added.
Mazepin was sacked by Haas prior to the 2022 season starting, following the ignition of the conflict in Eastern Europe, which has now gone on for over a year.
Due to his father’s connections, Mazepin was placed with sanctions by several nations, most of which he’s trying to contest.
Due to the sanctions, he was unable to compete in motorsport outside of Russia last year; however, this year he was able to compete in the Asian Le Mans series.
He was also recently given the green light to race in Europe once again, after some of the sanctions placed on him by the European Union’s General Court were lifted.
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The decision delighted Mazepin, who is pushing to “resume” his racing career.
“I am very happy with this decision which gives me hope to resume my professional career in international motor racing,” Mazepin said, as per AFP.
“I will do my best to make up for lost time and look forward to rejoin the sport that I love, to which I have dedicated my life.”