F1 'on pause' as Mazepin eyes off-road rallies
Apr.14 - Nikita Mazepin says he may keep his motor racing career alive in off-road rallying.
The Russian suddenly lost his Formula 1 seat amid the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, when Haas responded to the international sanctions frenzy and also cut ties with title sponsor Uralkali.
"Everything would be the same still if the invasion wouldn't have happened," team boss Gunther Steiner says.
"We really tried to make this thing work. But when you saw the media pictures of people just being bombed and shot at, this wasn't going to work."
Mazepin, 23, and his billionaire oligarch father Dmitry have also had a EUR 100 million Sardinian property seized by Italian authorities.
"My career is on pause," the Russian driver told Ria Novosti news agency on Wednesday.
"But I have been involved in motorsport for 18 years and I am not going to just leave it. I am keeping myself in shape and hope I will return to Formula 1.
"If it doesn't work out, I will consider other options for racing on four wheels. I'm interested in racing in the desert. Dakar is possible. And the Silk Way rally."
Until then, he says he is "positive" and working "five days a week" on a new foundation supporting other Russian athletes struggling under the Western sanctions.
"My life has changed dramatically in just one month," Mazepin said. "And there are still many months before the end of the year. Can you imagine how much more can happen and change?
"But I do intend to continue my career. So far I'm aiming at competitions within Russia to a greater extent.
"I truly believe that all bad things in life have a beginning and an end. And the end of this bad phase will come.
"I have more than one helmet so I hope to return to Formula 1," he concluded.
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Poor old Nikita, i do feel sorry for him...! , when he says off road rallying does he mean in Ukraine ?
Well, he does have a lot of F1 off road experience!
Perhaps he would be best in a Russian tank, with a large breasted female co-driver to grope? ;)
Got your 'pause' covered, Niki, enjoy bashin' around in Sandland.
Off road probably suits his racing style a little better. More rough and tumble.
Hi Leopold,
Can you take a look at your news filter, and update where necessary please, i'm just off to my local dealership to buy a Honda. Go..Red... Bull.... Go.....
More like over for good as I doubt he'd find a way to return, especially as this should effectively happen for next season.
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