On his comeback to racing this weekend, former Haas Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin emerged triumphant in the LMP2 category of the Asian Le Mans Series. Teaming up with Louis Deletraz and Ahmad Al Harthy for 99 Racing at the former Malaysian Grand Prix circuit, Mazepin faced the challenges of torrential rain in Sepang’s humid climate, leading to a race shortened by ten minutes. This marked Mazepin’s return to the top podium spot for the first time since his Formula 2 days, almost two years after Haas terminated his contract due to the conflict in Ukraine.
In a post-race Instagram update, Mazepin expressed his joy at the victory, highlighting that it had been almost a year since his last competitive drive. Despite this successful return to form, the chances of Mazepin making a comeback to the Formula 1 grid seem slim. With no available seats in 2024 and a highly competitive market in the subsequent year, his return to the top-tier racing series appears unlikely.