ussian racing driver Nikita Mazepin has misplaced the most recent spherical of a Excessive Court docket combat with British authorities ministers after being made topic to sanctions within the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Mazepin, 24, used to race in Components 1 for Haas and is searching for a brand new crew.
He needs sanctions lifted and has taken authorized motion towards Overseas Secretary James Cleverly.
A choose is because of oversee a trial on July 19.
Legal professionals representing Mr Mazepin on Thursday requested Mr Justice Linden, at a Excessive Court docket listening to in London, to droop sanctions within the interim so he may journey to Britain and start negotiations with Components 1 groups based mostly within the UK as quickly as attainable.
The choose dismissed their utility.
I settle for … that the notion might come up, no less than in some sections of the general public, that there are all the time methods across the UK sanctions regime
Authorities legal professionals had stated Mr Mazepin’s utility for “interim aid” ought to be refused.
Judges have heard that Mr Mazepin and his father, Dmitry Mazepin – a Russian businessman – had been made topic to sanctions in mid-March 2022.
They’ve heard how Haas had “terminated its relationship” with Mr Mazepin in early March 2022, following the outbreak of warfare in Ukraine, and he had not pushed for a Components 1 crew since.
Mr Mazepin and his father are “topic to an asset freeze and journey ban”, judges have heard.
Legal professionals representing the Authorities stated sanctions had been a “key facet” of Britain’s makes an attempt to “handle the scenario” in Ukraine.
They raised concern about what the general public notion could be if Mr Mazepin’s utility was granted.
“The claimant is a comparatively distinguished public determine and a racing driver,” stated the choose.
“I settle for … that the notion might come up, no less than in some sections of the general public, that there are all the time methods across the UK sanctions regime.”
He stated he was “fairly glad” that the stability of proof weighed towards granting interim aid.
The choose instructed that, in any occasion, Mr Mazepin would wrestle to barter a contract with an F1 crew till his declare for aid from sanctions had been lastly resolved.
Legal professionals representing Mr Mazepin argue that he has been sanctioned “solely” as a result of he’s “his father’s son”.
They informed the choose there was no proof that he supported the Russian regime or Russia’s “actions” in Ukraine – and argued that the sanctions had been “unfair” and “draconian”.
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