Russian Automobile Federation confirms rumours: No anthem for Mazepin

Last week, reports came from Russia that Nikita Mazepin will not be allowed to compete for Russia in the Formula One World Championship as a result of the Russian doping scandal. He will also be deprived of the national anthem in the event of his victory. Those rumours are now confirmed by the Russian Automobile Federation, reports Autosport.com.

CAS, the international court for arbitration in sports, already announced in December that Russia will be banned from participating in the Olympic Games and the World Cup for the next two years. These events attract the most attention in the Russian doping case, but the consequences are more far-reaching.

The ban applies to all world championships, including Formula 1. Mazepin is therefore not allowed to compete under the Russian flag and all references to the words Russia or Russian are also prohibited. The only exception is that Russian athletes may be referred to as 'neutral athlete from Russia' or 'Russia, neutral athlete'.

Mazepin also has the choice to go through life with the abbreviation RAF, which stands for Russian Automobile Federation. Strangely enough, he is allowed to use the Russian flag under that name and therefore this is probably the option he will choose. However, the national anthem remains forbidden within that construction.

Robert Shwartzman, the Russian Ferrari talent, is allowed to appear in the paddock next season as a Russian. However, this only applies to Formula 2 races, as this is not a world championship.