Former Haas driver Nikita Mazepin has admitted that returning to Formula 1 is looking “quite difficult”, with the Russian driver currently being sanctioned by the vast majority of the world.
Mazepin was axed from Haas right before the start of the 2022 F1 season, following the ignition of the conflict in Eastern Europe.
Following the start of the conflict, Mazepin was sanctioned by several nations, resulting in him being banned from entering them.
Due to this, his racing career has come to a halt, with his only race last season having come in Russia.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
He was able to compete in the Asian Le Mans Series this year; however, he is yet to announce if he’ll be competing in any more races this season.
His aim continues to be returning to F1, something which has seen him take the likes of the European Union to court, in a bid to have his sanctions lifted.
At the start of March, Mazepin actually won a case in Europe’s court of justice, allowing him to race in Europe; however, he continues to face sanctions in the likes of Canada.
With this in mind, he’s aware that returning to F1 isn’t currently looking likely, but should things change then “I am ready”.
“I really hope I will have the opportunity to return to Formula 1, but today it looks quite difficult,” Mazepin told Russian outlets including Tass news agency.
“If sanctions are lifted and things are not as they are now, then I am ready. I have a lot of legal colleagues who are working to give me the opportunity to return to the sport, but at the moment there is no great success.
Just a few days after winning his case against Europe’s court of justice, Mazepin faced a further setback.
“Unfortunately, on March 10, new sanctions were introduced,” Mazepin revealed. “So it turns out that we need to sue again.”
Mazepin is currently working on suing Canada’s foreign minister in a bid to be allowed to race in the North American country, which has hosted an F1 race since 1967.
READ: Oscar Piastri issues warning ahead of 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Canada isn’t the only country he’s currently working on, though, with Mazepin believing that the sanctions placed on him have had a “contagious effect” across the world, with the likes of Montenegro having also sanctioned the Russian driver.
“We’re working on the European Union, Great Britain, Canada. If I’m not mistaken, I am even under sanctions in Montenegro. I’ve never been there and there are no races there,” Mazepin said.
“You know, there is a contagious effect with sanctions – someone introduces it, others introduce it too. So we are trying to justify with lawyers that this should not happen to athletes.”