The former Formula One driver Nikita Mazepin has overturned European Union sanctions imposed against him as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU added the 25-year-old Russian to its sanctions list due to his association with his father, Dmitry, an influential businessman who it said was the main sponsor of his son’s activities as a racing driver. It had described Dmitry Mazepin as “a member of the closest circle” of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
But in Wednesday’s ruling, the general court said Mazepin had stopped being a driver for Haas, meaning the EU was wrong to keep him on its sanctions list after he was sacked by the team in March 2022.
