His Method 1 profession was over after only one season wherein he failed to attain even a single level, and now Russian racer Nikita Mazepin is taking a look at different sports activities
Picture: Getty Photographs)
Axed Method 1 flop Nikita Mazepin will launch a boxing profession later this 12 months as he rebrands himself as a “hybrid athlete”.
The Russian racer rose to prominence when he was signed for the 2021 season by Haas to race in F1. Each he and fellow rookie team-mate Mick Schumacher failed to attain a single level because the American workforce focussed its automotive improvement efforts for the next 12 months.
Mazepin was because of drive for the workforce in that 2022 marketing campaign. Nonetheless, simply weeks earlier than the season started, he was axed together with title sponsor Uralkali, the corporate owned by his father Dmitry, within the wake of his nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
Each had been additionally personally sanctioned by the European Union over Mazepin Sr’s ties to Vladimir Putin. It was solely late final 12 months that Nikita was faraway from the sanctions listing and was allowed once more to go to European nations.
The journey ban had prevented Mazepin from participating in lots of motorsport competitions, largely proscribing him to occasions both in his native Russia or within the Center East. And his state of affairs has led him to make the choice to diversify his profession which is taking him away from motorsport competitors.
On social media, Mazepin now describes himself as a “hybrid athlete”. And, talking with Russian information company Tass, the 25-year-old named boxing as one in all a number of sports activities he needs to attempt his hand at in 2025.
“This 12 months, I plan to take part in 5 competitions in several sports activities,” he mentioned. “The boxing match will happen within the fall of 2025 and I hope all the pieces will go properly.” No opponent has been publicly named for his bout, whereas Mazepin additionally plans to compete in triathlon and dune buggy racing this 12 months.
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Because the latter suggests, motorsport stays an curiosity and focus for Mazepin regardless of turning a few of his consideration elsewhere. He has primarily competed within the Asian Le Mans collection by way of his personal workforce 99 Racing, within the LMP2 class.
Within the outfit’s first race, within the 4 Hours of Dubai, the entry that includes Mazepin, Neel Jani and Goncalo Gomes as drivers achieved a podium by ending third of their class. Mazepin was additionally a part of a trio which took two victories and a second place within the 2023-24 season.
He has additionally demonstrated an curiosity in rally raid racing. In July 2022, he gained his class with a stage victory on the Silk Approach Rally, and completed second within the Baja Astrakan the next 12 months, each of which had been held in his homeland.
