RUSSIAN driver Nikita Mazepin’s glam life away from the F1 circuit is under threat.
The ex-Haas star, 23, and his oligarch father Dmitry – who is worth £730million – have had their assets seized by Italian authorities after sanctions were placed on the pair.
The prized possession, a luxury villa with a £100million price tag in the Portisco area of Olbia on the north-east coast of Sardinia, was also taken from them by Italian financial police, following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mazepin, who had his contract terminated by Haas ahead of the 2022 season, boasts incredible riches away from the circuit – driving luxury motors, flying in private jets, and hanging out with the A-list.
However, now he’s sanctioned he may have to get ready to live the simple life.
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Mazepin AXED by Haas as Russian is banned from racing under neutral flag
Mazepin was accustomed to a jet-set life with dad Dmitry at one stage worth over £1billion thanks to his booming chemicals business, Uralchem.
But Mazepin Sr’s life came crashing down last month when the EU revealed he was “a member of the closest circle” of Putin allies, and that his business was providing “substantial revenue” to the Russian government.
He and his son were then added to the EU’s list of Russians sanctioned by the European Union.
Mazepin jr was subsequently sacked by Haas too, even though he was due to race for the American team.
Nikita was furious. He wrote on Instagram: “Dear fans and followers, I am very disappointed to hear that my F1 contract has been terminated.
“While I understand the difficulties, the ruling from the FIA plus my ongoing willingness to accept the conditions proposed in order to continue were completely ignored, and no process was followed in this unilateral step.
“To those who have tried to understand, my eternal thanks.
“I have treasured my time in F1 and genuinely hope we can all be together again in better times.
“I will have more to say in the coming days. Nikita.”
Playboy lifestyle
What that did to Nikita, who enjoys the playboy life like many F1 stars, is ultimately rob him of his £1million-per-year salary.
But, judging by how he leads his life on Instagram, his street cred and lifestyle will suffer too.
Priding himself on living an unobtainable existence for most, he has the nice cars – a £1million McLaren 720S, Audi RS Q8 worth around £500,000, as well as a Lamborghini Aventador (£300,000), and a collector’s item, Bugatti Veyron (£1million).
Immaculately dressed in designer wear, he loves his watches – often seen wearing brands like Blancpain that could set him back around £100,000.
Famous pals
Ultimately, it’s his A-list friends that could soon disappear from his life.
Across social media, there are multiple snaps of Mazepin with a host of celebrities.
Yes, there’s one with Putin, he’s been seen with Cruz Beckham, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cristiano Ronaldo.
And although he’s remained coy about his relationship status, he is said to be close to Andrea Del Val.
Back in December, the pair were seen arm-in-arm at a theatre in Moscow.
Describing herself as a travel consultant, she also enjoys the jet-set lifestyle.
Groping incident
However, back in 2020 they were embroiled in a controversy that got Mazepin in hot water with Haas.
On a night out with Del Val and pals, he was seen grabbing a woman’s breast in the back seat of a car, which led to her giving him the middle finger in a video initially shared and quickly deleted on Instagram.
Del Val claimed she was the one who uploaded the video.
“Hi guys, I just want to let you know Nikita and I have been good friends for a long time and nothing from that video was serious at all!” she wrote.
“We trust each other so much and this was a silly way of joking between us.
“I posted this video on his story as an internal joke. I am truly sorry.
“I can give you my word he’s a really good person and he would never do anything to hurt me or humiliate me.”
Rocky Ram
While friends may come and go, it’s his possessions Mazepin will be mostly wary of losing.
The prized one being that £100million home called Rocky Ram, which was registered in his name and his father’s when it was confirmed to be seized.
It was bought in 2012 from an Italian newspaper editor for an undisclosed amount. But think substantial.
The seafront villa, on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, has 25 rooms, luxurious gardens and a large swimming pool.
A spokesperson for the Italian Financial Police told MailOnline: “Following verifications on subjects that are part of the current European Union sanctions list, an impounding order was served on Dmitry Mazepin and his son Nikita Mazepin, a driver with the Formula 1 team Haas until March 5, on a residential complex worth 105 million Euro and traceable to both through an overseas company.”
He is said to own other properties, including a mansion in Moscow, apartment in Paris, and a place in Monaco.
So, it’s not as if he’ll be kipping on his mate’s settee.
But, with his career and dream in tatters, it might be a while before he’s back rubbing shoulders with the glitterati.