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Nikita Mazepin, the former Formula One driver for Haas, has launched his own events company, The Ninety Nine Events, after being fired from the sport. Mazepin was recently photographed DJing at a Halloween-themed event on his Instagram account. During the 2021 Formula One season, the Russian driver shared the driving duties with Mick Schumacher at Haas. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Haas decided to fire Mazepin ahead of the 2022 season. The American team was also forced to part ways with Russian title sponsor Uralkali, which is owned by Mazepin’s father, Dmitry Mazepin.
Mazepin’s future in motorsport has been hampered by the International Olympic Committee’s ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes competing in international competitions. Despite the FIA’s decision to allow Russian drivers to compete if they participate in a neutral capacity, Mazepin has refused.
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“People cannot be condemned. We are athletes and everyone has their own choices, which must be respected,” the former Haas man said. “Zhiltsov is not the only one, [Russian turned Israeli driver] Robert Shwartzman did the same. There is a question of personal considerations. Whether you want to give up your country for sport and it is more important for you or not- everyone chooses for himself, but I will not do it.”
“I don’t agree with being in the sanctions,” Mazepin added. “I’ve said before I agree to fight it. Perhaps now is not the right time. If you look at the whole situation that is happening against athletes in the general case, it’s cancel culture against my country.”
