What does Nikita Mazepin RAF mean in F1 and why is he forced to use it?
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Jack NicoleSeptember 24, 2021
Photo by Brin Lennon/Getty Images
Nikita Mazepin’s maiden F1 season continues this weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.You may have noticed that the Haas riders are ‘The RAF logo on the timing screen. What does this mean and why does Mazepin race under it?
Why is Nikita Mazepin racing under the ‘RAF’ banner?
The roots of Mazepin’s designation can be traced back to Russia’s doping scandal in sports.
After the 2014 Winter Olympics – in Sochi, home of the Russian Grand Prix – whistleblowers revealed a state-sponsored doping scheme.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) pushed for a four-year ban as punishment.
From 2021, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has shortened the appeal period to two years.
This means that all Russian athletes, including Ma Zeping, are banned from competing under the Russian flag.
Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images
Mazepin entered under the nickname “Russian Automobile Federation”.
The ban will last until 2021 and 2022.
This means the Mazepin will be classified as ‘RAF’ in F1 until 2023 at the earliest.
Are other Russians affected by the CAS ruling?
The ruling is not limited to F1 and affects drivers wishing to compete in any FIA championship.
This includes the World Enduro, World Rally and Formula E Championships.
They cannot use the Russian flag, national symbols or emblems.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Russian athletes competed under the name of the Russian Olympic Committee.
Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
This is similar to what happened with Nikita Mazepin and the RAF.
The Russian national anthem was also banned.
Instead, the Russian gold medalist in Tokyo played a piece of Tchaikovsky music.
Russian politicians are also still allowed to attend sporting events.
Why doesn’t Nikita Mazepin use RAF in Formula 2?
In 2020, Mazepin competed in Formula 2.
The CAS ban has not yet taken effect.
Since F2 does not have the status of world champion, Ma Zeping did not enter as the RAF, but entered as a Russian.
In this season’s F2 Championship, Robert Schwarzman has been allowed to race under the Russian flag.
Photo by Peter J. Fox/Getty Images
Is there anything to tell us about this article?
Jack usually writes or reads anything related to motorsport – from Formula 1 to NASCAR to British truck racing. His work as a motorsport reporter has been published in prestigious outlets such as Autosport, Motorsport.com and Motorsport News. In addition to racing, he is an avid amateur astronomer, podcast listener, and enjoys walks in the park with his three dogs.
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