Mazepin, Oligarch Father Added to EU Blacklist

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 18, 2021 Haas' Nikita Mazepin during a press conference Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 18, 2021 Haas' Nikita Mazepin during a press conference Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
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Mazepin, Oligarch Father Added to EU Blacklist

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 18, 2021 Haas' Nikita Mazepin during a press conference Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 18, 2021 Haas' Nikita Mazepin during a press conference Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic

Motor racing driver Nikita Mazepin, sacked by the Haas Formula One team after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on Wednesday was added to the list of Russians sanctioned by the European Union.

His father, oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, the owner and chief executive of chemical giant Uralchem, was also sanctioned.

Dmitry Mazepin "is engaged in activities in economic sectors that constitute a substantial source of income for the government of the Russian Federation", the EU said in a statement.

His son, whose seat at Haas was filled on Wednesday by former driver Kevin Magnussen, was also included on the EU blacklist as he was considered "a natural person linked to an influential businessman (his father) with an activity in economic sectors which constitute a source substantial revenue to Russia".

The EU list, drawn up since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014, now includes 862 people and 53 entities in total.

They are banned from entering the EU and their assets in Europe have been frozen.

"On February 24, 2022, following the early stages of the Russian aggression", Dmitry Mazepin and 36 other businessmen "met with President Vladimir Putin and other members of the Russian government to discuss the impact of the course of action in the wake of Western sanctions," added the statement.

This showed "that he belongs to the circle closest to Vladimir Putin".

Earlier Wednesday, Nikita Mazepin said he was creating a foundation to help sportspeople who have found themselves barred from competing due to "political reasons out of their control".

Mazepin and Haas's Russian title sponsor Uralkali had their contracts terminated last Saturday as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Mazepin, 23, said the funds for the 'We compete as one' foundation would come from the money that Uralkali would have paid Haas.



LeBron ‘Happy to Have Helped’ Andreeva to Indian Wells Win 

Mirra Andreeva addresses the crowd after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the women's final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Mirra Andreeva addresses the crowd after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the women's final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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LeBron ‘Happy to Have Helped’ Andreeva to Indian Wells Win 

Mirra Andreeva addresses the crowd after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the women's final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Mirra Andreeva addresses the crowd after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the women's final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

NBA star LeBron James said he was happy to have helped Mirra Andreeva after the Russian teenager credited one of his past interviews where he talked about the importance of mental strength for inspiring her to victory at Indian Wells on Sunday.

Andreeva beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-4 6-3 in the final to clinch her second straight WTA 1000 title after winning the Dubai Championship last month.

Andreeva said in an interview with Tennis Channel on Monday that she had taken James' comments to heart.

"He was saying that even if you don't play 100% or even if you don't feel 100% physically, I'm going to choose to be 100% mentally," she said.

"He said that's what makes us champions, so I kind of tried to do the same."

James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and four-times champion, congratulated the 17-year-old on her win and urged her to keep going.

"Congratulations! Happy to have helped," James wrote on Instagram late on Monday. "But honestly YOU did THAT!! All your hard work, drive, and dedication toward your craft. KEEP GOING! strive for greatness."