Axed Formula 1 flop Nikita Mazepin will launch a boxing career later this year as he rebrands himself as a "hybrid athlete". The Russian racer rose to prominence when he was signed for the 2021 season by Haas to race in F1. Both he and fellow rookie team-mate Mick Schumacher failed to score a single point as the American team focussed its car development efforts for the following year. Mazepin was due to drive for the team in that 2022 campaign. However, just weeks before the season began, he was axed along with title sponsor Uralkali, the company owned by his father Dmitry, in the wake of his country's invasion of Ukraine.

Both were also personally sanctioned by the European Union over Mazepin Sr's ties to Vladimir Putin. It was only late last year that Nikita was removed from the sanctions list and was allowed again to visit European countries. The travel ban had prevented Mazepin from taking part in many motorsport competitions, largely restricting him to events either in his native Russia or in the Middle East. And his situation has led him to make the decision to diversify his career which is taking him away from motorsport competition.

On social media, Mazepin now describes himself as a "hybrid athlete". And, speaking with Russian news agency Tass, the 25-year-old named boxing as one of several sports he wants to try his hand at in 2025. "This year, I plan to participate in five competitions in different sports," he said. "The boxing match will take place in the fall of 2025 and I hope everything will go well." No opponent has been publicly named for his bout, while Mazepin also plans to compete in triathlon and dune buggy racing this year.

Catch all the action from Formula One on Sky Sports and get exclusive access to races, qualifying and much more for every Grand Prix. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, you won't miss a lap on Sky Sports. As the latter suggests, motorsport remains an interest and focus for Mazepin despite turning some of his attention elsewhere. He has primarily competed in the Asian Le Mans series through his own team 99 Racing, in the LMP2 category.

In the outfit's first race, in the Four Hours of Dubai, the entry featuring Mazepin, Neel Jani and Goncalo Gomes as drivers achieved a podium by finishing third in their category. Mazepin was also part of a trio which took two victories and a second place in the 2023-24 season. He has also demonstrated an interest in rally raid racing. In July 2022, he won his class with a stage victory at the Silk Way Rally, and finished second in the Baja Astrakan the following year, both of which were held in his homeland.