Nikita Mazepin saw his F1 dreams crushed (Image: Getty Images)
After his Formula One dreams were dashed, Nikita Mazepin is stepping into the ring to embark on a boxing career as he pivots towards being a “hybrid athlete”. The Russian driver garnered attention when Haas signed him for the 2021 season alongside .
However, despite their efforts, neither rookie managed to register a point because had set its sights on the next season’s car development.
Mazepin was all set to compete in the 2022 season, but his F1 tenure was cut short just before it began. He and the team’s title sponsor Uralkali, controlled by his father Dmitry, were dropped following ‘s invasion of .
Both faced EU sanctions due to Dmitry’s connections with , though Nikita was finally freed from the sanctions list late last year and could once again travel to Europe.
With the travel ban limiting his motorsport opportunities, mostly confining him to or the Middle East, Mazepin has decided to branch out. Rebranding himself on social media as a “hybrid athlete”, the 25-year-old spoke with Russian news agency Tass about trying various sports, notably mentioning his intention to take up boxing by 2025.
“This year, I plan to participate in five competitions in different sports,” he revealed. “The boxing match will take place in the fall of 2025 and I hope everything will go well.”
Nikita Mazepin has announced he will head into the world of boxing (Image: nikita_mazepin/Instagram)
No opponent has yet been announced for his upcoming fight, but Mazepin is not just focusing on boxing; he’s also set to compete in triathlon and dune buggy racing this year.
Motorsport continues to be a passion for Mazepin, as evidenced by his participation in the Asian Le Mans series with his own team, 99 Racing, competing in the LMP2 category.
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The team made an impressive debut with a third-place finish in their category at the Four Hours of Dubai, featuring Mazepin, Neel Jani, and Goncalo Gomes as drivers.
Mazepin secured two victories and a second-place finish in the 2023-24 season. His rally raid racing pursuits have also been successful, with a class win at the Silk Way Rally in July 2022 and a second-place finish at the Baja Astrakan the following year, both events taking place in .
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