Former Haas F1 team F1 driver Nikita Mazepin has hinted at a return to racing.
Nikita Mazepin has been sacked from the Haas F1 team for the 2022 F1 season following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the time, Haas F1 Team had a title sponsorship deal with the Russian company Uralkali, owned by Mazepin’s father Dmitry.
Halfway through pre-season testing, Nikita Mazepin and Uralkali were released by Haas and Kevin Magnussen was reinstated to the team.
Nikita Mazepin recently competed in the Silk Way Rally, but says she is eyeing a seat in a bigger event in the near future.
“I did it out of joy and luckily that joy led to the victory,” Nikita Mazepin told Russia’s Tass.
“But I don’t think of myself as a professional rally driver. Silkway is just a great event, and a non-rally driver would have to put aside everything else to really prepare.”
“Next year, I’m going to participate in a new event outside of our country myself, but I haven’t signed yet, so I can’t talk about that.”
“Of course there is a desire to continue to compete in motorsport. My goal is to return to Formula 1, so I will work in that direction.”
Nikita Mazepin has previously stressed that he will not ditch the now-banned Russian flag and enter FIA competitions as the war continues.
Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner recently said his team was forced to cut ties with Nikita Mazepin after Russia moved to Ukraine.
“After the invasion of Ukraine, we couldn’t have made another decision,” Gunther Steiner told Speedcafe.
“Looking back, I think we did the right thing. It didn’t affect us financially, but it definitely affected the beginning of the season. To get back to where we wanted to be. , there was a lot to do.”
“But otherwise, once you race in Bahrain, you realize how fast life is in F1. Never looked back, just make the most of it. The opportunity was there. It was a challenge, but that challenge gave us a chance, so let’s focus on that and keep going.”
Category: F1 / Nikita Mazepin
