As A Result Of The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine, The Property Of Former F1 Driver Nikita Mazepin Worth IDR 1.64 Trillion Was Confiscated By The Italian Government

Nikita Mazepin (Instagram @nikita_mazepin)

JAKARTA - Authorities in Italy have seized property belonging to former Russian racer Nikita Mazepin and his father. The property is worth 88 million pounds (IDR 1.64 trillion).

The operation, known as Rocky Ram, is part of a continued effort to punish wealthy Russians with alleged ties to Vladimir Putin.

Mazepin was sacked last month by American F1 team Haas and was even put on the EU sanctions list along with his father.

Meanwhile, Italian authorities are carrying out a crackdown on those on a list of EU sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Following the grim news, Mazepin posted a message to his 500.000 followers last month.

“Dear fans and followers, I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated. While I understand the predicament, the decision from the FIA plus my willingness to accept the terms put forward to proceed was completely ignored and no process was followed in this unilateral step," Mazepin wrote.

“To those of you who have tried to understand, thank you. I cherish my time in F1 and really hope we can all be together again in better times. I will have more to say in the coming days.”

Mazepin finished 21st in his inaugural season, having missed the final due to testing positive for COVID-19 on race day.

Haas informed the public of their dismissal of the 23-year-old athlete in a statement.

“The Haas F1 team have chosen to terminate, with immediate effect, the Uralkali title partnership, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin. Like the rest of the Formula One community, the team is shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and wishes this conflict a speedy and peaceful end," it read.