Russian driver Nikita Mazepin has been launching legal action around the globe in an effort to open the door to his return to Formula 1 after he was dropped by Haas.
Haas cut ties with Mazepin and his father’s company Uralkali, which had been sponsoring the team, after Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking an international crackdown on the country.
The FIA did rule that Russian and Belarusian drivers could compete in their events if they raced under a neutral flag, rather than for their home nation, but Mazepin claims he was sacked before he could even consider those terms.
Mazepin has launched court action in the UK and Canada over sanctions that would prevent him from participating in Formula 1.
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Mazepin’s spokesperson told Sports-Express that the case is about giving the driver the “opportunity to get into any Formula 1 team for the next season.”
The Russian driver has been given an interim ruling from European courts that would allow him to race in the European Union, although, without clearance from all nations where F1 races, he’s unlikely to get a seat.
“All the EU sanctions have already been suspended in the way that he needs for his racing career,” the spokesperson said.
“In Canada and the UK, we are asking the court for similar injunctive relief as we did in the EU court.
“The urgency of the requested measures in the EU, Canada and the UK is precisely due to the fact that, over the next few months, there remains the opportunity to get into any Formula 1 team for the 2024 season.
“Negotiations usually begin in May-June and last until the end of summer-autumn, depending on the team.”
READ: Nikita Mazepin takes legal action against the UK
Since leaving Formula 1, Mazepin has competed in the Asian Le Mans Series with 99 Racing.
Mazepin’s legal action comes after a German outlet reported that his father Dmitry Mazepin was involved in a bid to buy AlphaTauri.
Mazepin was reportedly behind a $850 million bid to buy Red Bull’s junior team, with Auto Motor und Sport claiming that an interested party had proposed the offer but there was concern the Russian was behind the money.