Nikita Mazepin has admitted that his dream of returning to Formula 1 has officially come to an end.
Since the Russian driver and his father's company, Uralkali, were dropped by Haas following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Mazepin has faced travel restrictions to Europe and beyond due to political sanctions.
Despite always expressing his desire to return to Formula 1, the 25-year-old has faced numerous legal battles but has now successfully been removed from both European and Swiss sanctions lists.
"Of course, I am elated," Mazepin said regarding the removal of the sanctions. "At the same time, I ask myself what was it all for – to be sanctioned at a vital point in my career, only to have the European court decide that it was all a giant mistake."
However, the FIA still requires Russian drivers, who can no longer race under their national flag, to sign a document denouncing their country before being allowed to compete.
But another reality facing Mazepin is that Formula 1 teams are likely still reluctant to hire him, given his father Dmitry's connections to Vladimir Putin.
So what comes next for Mazepin?
"Time puts things in perspective," he said. "I think I can now say that the first act of my life was really shaped by and dedicated to trying to be the best in motorsport.
"It has been painful to watch everyone in F1 moving forward and to not be a part of it," said Mazepin, who failed to score any points in his one and only Formula 1 season in 2021.
"Vindication in the courts is sweet, but the truth is that I can't get those years back – those crucial years in the life and development of any professional athlete.
"Which leaves me now, at the ripe old age of 25, realising it is time to look forward, not back. The time has come to write the next act of my life as an adult, with dreams tied not to speed and trophies, but to applying my mind, and to finding my purpose.
"This will come with completing my education, working hard, and taking good care of my spirit along the way. So, while you will not be seeing a return to Formula 1 for me, I will be happy to share news with you on my next steps."
