Nikita Mazepin has ruled out a potential F1 return after being cleared of sanctions by European court, as he ponders Act 2 of his career.
I wanted to reach out to the many friends and fans who have sent their congratulations now that I am officially off the sanctions list in Europe. It has been more than two long years, and the courts have rendered their decision in my favor. Of course, I am elated. At the same time, I ask myself what was it all for – to be sanctioned at a vital point in my career, only to have the European court decide that it was all a giant mistake. Many of you have asked what is next for me. Time puts things in perspective. And I have had plenty of time to think about both my past and my future.
I think I can now say that the first act of my life was really shaped by and dedicated to trying to be the best in motorsport. The love of speed. The thrill of competition. Working my way up through karting, then F3 and F2. The chase for a seat in Formula 1. And, in part, that dream was fulfilled and I had the taste of that world, and loved it. For real. That season was hard, and I had to take some public knocks. But I was living on the promise of the next season, with a new car, and a little experience under my belt. As we all know, that season didn’t happen. The reasons – we also all know.
And that was the abrupt end to my Act 1. It has been painful to watch everyone at F1 moving forward and to not be a part of it. Vindication in the courts is sweet, but the truth is that I can’t get those years back…those essential years in the life and development of any professional athlete. Which leaves me now, at the ripe old age of 25, realizing it is time to look forward, not back. The time has come to write the next act of my life as an adult, with dreams tied, not to speed and trophies, but to applying my mind, and to finding my purpose.
This will come with completing my education, working hard, and taking good care of my spirit along the way. I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me – and even to those who have not throughout my time in motor racing. It has all made me stronger. So, while you will not be seeing a return to Formula 1 for me, I will be happy to share news with you on my next steps.
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