Hungary’s foreign minister has strongly criticized the sanctions that have halted Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 career for the time being.
Amidst the Ukraine-Russia crisis, Russian driver Mazepin was dismissed by Haas and prevented from returning to Europe due to European Union sanctions imposed on the 24-year-old and his influential father, Dmitry.
Peter Szijjarto, Hungary’s foreign affairs minister, met with the former F1 driver in Moscow last Friday and subsequently expressed his displeasure with the EU’s actions.
Szijjarto told Tass news agency, “The European Union included Mazepin in the sanctions list, which, unfortunately, is a return to the communist principle.”
He further asserted, “In the past, communists held children responsible for the real or perceived actions of their parents.”
While Mazepin had successfully challenged the EU sanctions earlier this year, they were reinstated despite the court rulings.
“It is no coincidence that the European Court, in two decisions, ruled that Nikita Mazepin should be allowed to work – that is, to participate in competitions in the EU,” Szijjarto pointed out.
