Nikita Mazepin returns to racing as Russian restrictions eased

Nikita Mazepin is making his return to motorsport this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, competing in the Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy for Team Motopark after the FIA lifted restrictions that had prevented Russian and Belarusian drivers from competing under their national flags.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council confirmed the policy change earlier this month, issuing a statement that read: "After consultation, the WMSC decided that the FIA emergency measures shall be revised to lift the restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, individual competitors and officials, as well as those relating to the display of their national symbols, colours, flags and anthems.

"Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, individual competitors and officials are allowed to participate in international/zone competitions without any restrictions. The requirement of signing a commitment to neutrality no longer applies."

The restrictions were originally imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Russian drivers forced to compete under neutral representation. Mazepin, who had been dropped by Haas just weeks before the 2022 season began alongside major Russian sponsor Ural Kali, had effectively been sidelined from mainstream competition for four years.

Mazepin is driving a GT3 car at Spa-Francorchamps, marking his debut in the format. He demonstrated he still possesses the pace that brought him to Formula 1, claiming pole position in the first qualifying session by over four seconds.

He had previously tested at Spa-Francorchamps and Lausitzring for the team, and has some GT experience from the 24 Hours of Dubai and the Asian Le Mans Series in the 2023 and 2023/24 seasons.

Mazepin's only F1 campaign came in 2021 with Haas, where he failed to score a point across 21 rounds alongside Mick Schumacher, missing the final race of the campaign with COVID-19.

His best result was 14th at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He is not the only Russian driver back in action this weekend, with Rinat Salikhov also competing in the GT World Europe series at the Nürburgring.