European Union imposes personal sanctions on Formula 1 driver Nikita Maspin

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Nikita Maspin and his father Dmitriy have been included in the new EU sanctions list published by the EU Council on Wednesday. This means that their assets will be frozen and both will no longer be allowed to enter the European Union. The reason is its closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Yesterday, Wednesday, the former Haas pilot made it clear at a press conference that he did not see a legal basis for his dismissal because neither he nor his father would be subject to the penalties – which changed within a very short time: Masepin is the 732nd Russian on his father’s 723 sanction list.

According to the EU statement, Dmitriy Maspin is “active in sectors that are an important source of income for the government of the Russian Federation, responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine.”

The managing director of Uralkali, which featured prominently on the Haas as the main sponsor, met with other businessmen and Putin in the Kremlin at the start of the attacks on Ukraine — likely to discuss the economic implications of the maneuvers.

Dmitriy Maspin: Punishment for being close to Putin

“The fact that he was invited to this meeting shows that he belongs to the inner circle of Vladimir Putin and that he supports or implements any measures or policies that protect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as the stability and security of Ukraine. Undermining or threatening Ukraine.”

It also shows that he is one of the prominent businessmen involved in economic sectors that are an important source of revenue for the Russian government, which is responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine.

As far as the punishment of his son Nikita is concerned, the family ties after his exit from Formula 1 will be his ruin.

outstanding career

Maspin announced yesterday that he will establish a foundation to help other athletes who are unable to compete for political reasons. The FIA ​​allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the events as long as they signed a protocol of conduct issued by the Federation.

However, some national federations – including Germany and Great Britain – recently decided not to allow Russian athletes to compete on home soil.

After exiting Formula 1, Masepin’s career is on hold for the time being. European Union sanctions are now the next nail in the coffin of his motorsport plans.

For Haas team boss Gunther Steiner, the move was no surprise, so from his point of view the dismissal made sense: “I think we did the right thing,” he says. You have to look forward a little. I don’t think anyone was surprised by the sanctions.

He did not speak to Maspin himself after leaving: “What should we talk about?” Asks. “Of course it’s not nice to say to him,” Steiner said. “There are reasons for everyone to see.” “I don’t need to discuss what happened with him. It’s not his fault as a person either, but he was right in the middle of the circumstances.”