Russian Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin appeals to Canadian court to lift sanctions

Nikita Mazepin appealed to a Canadian court demanding the lifting of sanctions

The statement of claim states that Mazepin is “a young athlete who is in no way involved in the aggression from which Ukraine suffered” and is not employed in any sectors of the economy that bring significant income to Russia.

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Russian racing driver Nikita Mazepin has filed a lawsuit in the Canadian Federal Court demanding that the sanctions imposed on him be lifted, which, in his opinion, unfairly harm his career. About it informs CTV channel.

Mazepin wants the court to order Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to take immediate steps to remove him from the sanctions list, where he was included in May last year. He is also asking the court to rule on restrictive measures that will allow him to race in Canada.

Mazepin’s statement of claim states that he is “a young athlete and a professional race car driver who is in no way involved in the aggression from which Ukraine suffered” and is not involved in any sectors of the economy that bring significant income to Russia. It is noted that the sanctions prevent Mazepin from racing in Canada or doing business with Canadians, which “catastrophically reduces” his chances of returning to Formula 1.

Mazepin spent his only season in Formula 1 in 2021 for the Haas team. He did not score points, taking the last, 21st place in the individual standings. The best result of the Russian was the 14th place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

On March 5, 2022, due to the events in Ukraine, the American team terminated the contract with the Russian company Uralkali (its co-owner is the father of the racer Dmitry Mazepin), which has been the title sponsor of Haas since 2021. Later, the United Kingdom and the EU imposed sanctions against the rider.

The European Court of Justice, which considered Mazepin’s lawsuit against the Council of the EU, granted the driver the right to compete in Formula 1 and other series in March of this year. The Russian remains under sanctions, however, by a court decision, restrictive measures do not apply to his professional activities as a racer.