F1 News: Nikita Mazepin’s Costly Housing Crash

Mazepin – who was sacked by the US-owned Haas Formula 1 team in March – has been included in an EU sanctions list along with his father, Dmitry, who the European Union’s official journal described as “a member of President Vladimir Putin’s closest circle.”

A villa – known as Rocky Ram – and located in the north of the island of Sardinia is thought to be the primary property confiscated by authorities as part of broader efforts aimed at penalising wealthy Russians linked to President Vladimir Putin after his decision to invade Ukraine.

Kvyat Unlikely to Ever Return

Another Russian Formula 1 racer is struggling with authorities and may never be seen in the sport again. Daniil Kvyat raced in Formula 1 between 2014 and 2020 beginning at Toro Rosso (later re-named Alpha Tauri).

He was promoted to the Red Bull team. But, following crashes and poor results he was replaced by Max Verstappen during the 2016 season. This led to a return to Toro Rosso but that was punctuated by a year on the sidelines in 2018.

During this year, he acted as Ferrari’s third driver – mainly focusing on the team’s simulator at the Italian team’s Maranello factory. In 2021, Kvyat was the reserve driver for Alpine, alongside Guanyu Zhou.

Kvyat has decided not to sign the FIA’s mandatory ‘Driver Commitment’ for Russian competitors. It is a binding code of conduct that competitors holding a Russian or Belarusian licence had to sign in order to take part in FIA-sanctioned events.

The document featured a series of restrictions imposed on Russian and Belarusian drivers and committed the latter, among other things, to not display their national colours publicly or on social media, and to not express any support for the Russian activities in respect to Ukraine.

Max Got the Car and the Girlfriend

The 27-year-old Kvyat has left a mark on the sport. In August 2016 he began a relationship with Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet. They had a daughter together, born in July 2019.

The 32-year-old has since coupled up with Max Verstappen, almost eight years her junior, and some reports suggest the couple will marry this summer following a two-year courtship.

* F1 odds correct at time of publication. Subject to changes.