Rumored changes within the Alpine F1 team could be paving the way for former driver Nikita Mazepin to make a comeback to the sport, as reported by PlanetF1.
Mazepin, whose Formula 1 career came to an abrupt end in 2022 following the repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is now linked to a potential comeback. Speculation intensified with news that his father, Dmitry Mazepin, is rumored to be involved as an investor with Hitech Grand Prix. This connection gains further intrigue as Alpine, under its parent company Renault, reportedly contemplates a merger or sale of its F1 operations to Hitech Grand Prix.
The merger rumors are fueled by recent administrative overhauls at Alpine. The French team announced during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that Bruno Famin will be stepping down from his team principal responsibilities at the end of August. Following this announcement, Oliver Oakes, founder of Hitech, has been appointed as Alpine’s new team principal.
Along with all of these changes, Alpine has decided to negotiate an engine partnership deal away from Renault for the 2026 season. The shift toward purchasing engines, rather than producing them, could offer Renault substantial cost savings but raises concerns about the sport losing one of its longstanding engine suppliers.
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Simultaneously, Hitech’s ambitions to cement its place in Formula 1 have not waned. Despite previous rejections from the FIA for an independent team entry, integrating with an established team like Alpine might offer a viable pathway. This strategy appears to be backed by significant capital injections from personalities such as Kazakh billionaire Vladimir Kim, along with Dmitry Mazepin’s involvement.
Mazepin’s potential re-entry into Formula 1 is not without its hurdles. Aside from the geopolitical implications of his prior exit, he currently lacks a super license, essential for competing at this level. However, his successful contestation of EU sanctions in March may strengthen his position for a return.
Another difficulty for the Russian driver will be the number of drivers who have impressed in the junior and feeder series and are now waiting for a spot on the F1 grid. The 2024 season saw an unusual situation where no rookie drivers were signed. This has meant that there is now a backlog of drivers fighting for their spot in the sport but only a small amount of seats are available. Adding to this, Mazepin’s performance during his time with the Haas team was less than commendable. During the 2021 season, his first and last with the American team, he was not able to score any championship points.