Nikita Mazepin is a Russian racing driver who first joined the F1 grid during the 2021 Formula One World Championship for the Haas F1 Team, where he competed under a neutral flag, representing the Russian Automobile Federation.
In 2016, Mazepin embarked on his Formula One journey as a test driver for Sahara Force India. He made his mark in the sport during his first Formula One testing session at Silverstone, clocking an impressive personal best lap time of 1:31.561.
Over the next two years, Mazepin continued in this role, gaining valuable experience and track time. Notably, he completed 100 laps at the Hungaroring in 2017, followed by a further 51 laps at the same circuit in 2018, demonstrating his growing proficiency and familiarity with Formula One cars.
Mazepin’s test-driving career reached a significant milestone in 2019. He participated in the Barcelona test for Mercedes, a major opportunity given Mercedes’ status in the sport. During this test, Mazepin showcased his speed by recording the fastest time of the session, a remarkable 1:15.775, placing him at the top of the timing sheets. This achievement highlighted Mazepin’s potential and skill as a Formula One test driver.
It wasn’t until the 2021 season that he made his full-time entry into Formula One with Haas, an appointment made noteworthy as he brought a significant sponsorship deal from Uralkali, a Russian company. He signed a multi-year deal, partnering with Mick Schumacher, choosing to race with the number 9. However, Mazepin’s Formula 1 career faced a sudden turn in 2022. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Haas team decided to sever ties with Mazepin and their title sponsor, Uralkali. This decision reflected the global sporting community’s stance on the geopolitical situation and marked an abrupt end to his time in the top tier of motorsport.
Despite this setback, Mazepin has continued his racing career in other series. His participation in the Asian Le Mans Series, where he has continued to compete under a neutral flag and where he plans to rebuild his professional profile in the competitive world of racing.
