Nikita Mazepin returns to competition

Nikita mazepin is back in business. A little less than a year after being ousted from the team Haas en Formula 1 Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Moscow pilot will take part in the Asian Le Mans Series in 2023. He was thus confirmed in the LM P2 of the 99 Racing team, which will run with an Oreca 07 bearing the number 98 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

With Barnicoat and Porteiro at 99 Racing

He will be accompanied in a rather unlikely crew by official Lexus driver Ben Barnicoat and by Spaniard Félix Porteiro, who is returning to motorsport for the first time since… the 2009 WTCC season. 

« I am delighted to make my return to competition in the Asian Le Mans Series, declares Nikita Mazepin in the press release of his new team. With my teammates from 99 Racing, I hope to have a great experience in the sport that I love. »

« I am very happy to drive for 99 Racing in this year's Asian Le Mans Series with Nikita and Félix, adds Ben Barnicoat. I was Nikita's teammate in Formula 3, so it will be fun to team up with him again for his first endurance racing experience. It's been great working with Félix so far, and I think we have an extremely strong group and team with 99 Racing for the championship. I am very grateful to Lexus Racing USA for allowing me to compete in the Asian Le Mans Series, where I finished second in the 2021 season. I certainly return with unfinished business, confident that we can all reach the victory. »

« I'm so happy for this big challenge after 14 years without racing and I can't wait for the ALMS season to start, explains Porteiro. I would like to thank 99 Racing for this opportunity. The team members are very professional and my teammates are so experienced, I am sure they will do a great job. I hope to learn as much as I can from Ben and Nikita. »

The Asian Le Mans Series will take place from Saturday February 11 to Sunday February 19, with two double-headers planned in Dubai then Abu Dhabi.

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