Nikita Mazepin will make his debut in Formula 1 under the neutral flag due to the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sports to ban the use of the Russian flag in all international events until the end of 2022.
Following the revelation of the Russian-sponsored doping affair of Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the Court of Arbitration for Sports ruled on a two-year ban on Russian athletes performing under Russian national flag.
Russia will therefore not have its representatives at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, although many Russian athletes have decided to perform under a neutral flag while the same fate awaits Russian drivers in all FIA competitions.
The Russian Automobile Federation has acknowledged that the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sports applies to all Russian drivers competing in world championships, including Formula 1, the WRC and the WEC.
Russian drivers are not allowed to mention the word ‘Russia’ or show the Russian flag, but they are still allowed to use the red, white and blue colors that represent their national flag.
If the Russian Grand Prix is held, which is scheduled for September 24-26, the Russian anthem will not be played before the race, as well as in any other race if Mazepin wins the race.
The same goes for other FIA championships, and the decision is valid until December 16, 2022.
NIKITA MAZEPIN CAREER OVERVIEW
2021:
FIA Formula 1 World Championship with Haas F1 Team
2020:
FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech Grand Prix
• Finished 5th overall
• 2 Race Wins: Round 4 Feature (Silverstone), Round 9 Feature (Mugello) / 6 Podiums
2019 – 2020:
F3 Asian Championship with Hitech Grand Prix
• Finished 3rd overall
• 1 Race Win, 4 Podiums
2019:
FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART Grand Prix
• Finished 18
th overall with 6 Top-10 finishes
• Formula 1 Test with Mercedes (Barcelona – May 2019)
2018:
GP3 Series with ART Grand Prix
• Finished 2nd overall
• 4 Race Wins, 8 Podiums
2017:
FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Hitech GP
• Finished 10
th overall with 3 Podiums
• Formula 1 Test with Force India (Hungaroring – August 2017)
2016:
FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Hitech GP
• Finished 20th overall
• Announced as Force India development driver
Select Race Starts – Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 / BRDC British F3 Championship
2015:
Formula Renault 2.0 NEC
• Finished 12
th overall with 1 Podium
2014 – 2015:
MRF Challenge Formula 2000
• Finished 10th overall with 1 Podium
