ロシア人元Ｆ１ドライバーのマゼピン、欧州レース復帰可能に

【パリＡＦＰ＝時事】ロシア出身の元フォーミュラワン（Ｆ１、Ｆ１世界選手権）ドライバーで、同国によるウクライナ侵攻の影響で１年前にキャリアが停止されていたニキータ・マゼピンが２日、欧州のモーターレースへの復帰が可能となった。（写真は元フォーミュラワン〈Ｆ１、Ｆ１世界選手権〉ドライバーのニキータ・マゼピン）
　２４歳のマゼピンは、新興財閥（オリガルヒ）の父親が所有するウラルカリー社がスポンサーを務めていたハースで２０２１年シーズンにＦ１に参戦していた。
　しかし、戦争が始まると、ハースはマゼピンとの契約とウラルカリーとのスポンサー契約を解除。さらに、父が「ロシア連邦政府の大きな収入源となる、経済部門での活動に従事している」として、マゼピンも欧州連合（ＥＵ）の制裁リストに加えられていた。
　だが、ＥＵ司法裁判所の一般裁判所はこの日、マゼピンへの制裁を一部解除。これにより同選手は渡航が許可され、欧州でキャリア再開を試みることが可能になった。
　ただし、今後ＥＵ圏内でＦ１や他のモータースポーツに参戦する場合は、「中立旗の下でレースに臨み、国際自動車連盟（ＦＩＡ）が求める誓約書にサインしなければならない」とされた。
　最近はアジアのレースに参戦していたマゼピンは、今回の決定を歓迎し、「国際的なモーターレースでプロのキャリアを再開する希望を与えてくれるこの裁定をとても喜んでいる」とＡＦＰの取材で語った。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2023/03/03-18:19）

Russian ex-Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin was Thursday cleared to return to motor racing in Europe, a year after his career was brought to a halt by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
The 23-year-old Mazepin had been racing in the world championship for the Haas team which was financed by the Uralkali company owned by his father Dmitry.
Both his contract and the title sponsorship of the team were cancelled on the outbreak of the war.
The European Union's General Court on Thursday lifted some of the sanctions against Nikita Mazepin, a decision which allows him to travel and attempt to resurrect his career on the continent.
The EU had sanctioned him as his father's company had activity in economic sectors which constitute a substantial source of income for Russia.
Thursday's order still prevents Mazepin from competing for a team which has links either to his father or anyone already sanctioned by the EU.
In the event of recruitment in F1 or in another motor sport taking place on European territory, Nikita Mazepin must undertake to race under a neutral flag and to sign the commitment of the drivers required by the International Automobile Federation to this effect, said the declaration.
Mazepin, who has recently been racing in Asia, welcomed the decision by the EU body.
I am very happy with this decision which gives me hope to resume my professional career in international motor racing, he told AFP.
I will do my best to make up for lost time and look forward to rejoin the sport that I love, to which I have dedicated my life.
His legal team told AFP that the order was a rare decision.
The General Court ruled that Mazepin is in no way involved in the aggression suffered by Ukraine and does not exercise any activity in economic sectors which provide a substantial source of income to Russia.
He has always maintained a neutral position on the war as a professional athlete, added the order.
He only asks that he be given the opportunity to pursue his career ... without the financial support of his father.
In explaining its decision, the court said that the European Council did not provide convincing evidence showing that the ex-Haas driver should be considered as still being linked to his father.
Mazepin endured a tough single season in Formula 1, ending the 2021 season in 21st place and without a single point to his name.