Nikita Mazepin has finally returned to European racing after the FIA lifted its ban on Russian drivers. The former Formula 1 driver is competing in the Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy for Team Motopark at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
The FIA's decision to lift restrictions has paved the way for Mazepin to compete again after a long hiatus. He had been sidelined due to his nationality amid sanctions imposed in early 2022. During his debut F1 season with Haas, he lost his seat after the team terminated his contract following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Mazepin immediately showcased his pace by securing pole position in his class. He dominated the qualifying session, setting a gap of up to four seconds over his nearest rival. That massive margin is proof that he still possesses speed, even though the competition he now faces is at a different level.
Interestingly, Mazepin is no stranger to GT machinery. Since leaving F1, he competed in the 24 Hours of Dubai and the Asian Le Mans Series. That experience helped him adapt quickly to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 he drives, explaining his dominance in qualifying.
The FIA's new policy has also been utilized by fellow Russian driver Rinat Salikhov, who is competing in the GT World Challenge Europe at the Nurburgring. Meanwhile, at Spa, Mazepin is not alone. Christian Klien, former Jaguar and Red Bull driver who is now an Austrian TV pundit covering F1, is also on the grid for the same race.
Mazepin's return to European competition marks a new chapter in his career. Although the level is far from F1, this move at least gives him the opportunity to continue his career in motorsport. Fans will surely be watching how he fares in the main race, given the significant gap he created in qualifying.
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