Mazepin launches "Formula of Freedom" karting as part of cerebral palsy charity effort

Nikita Mazepin has announced the launch of his new "Formula for Freedom" karting club.

The racing club has been set up to provide the opportunity for adults and children living with cerebral palsy to enjoy the fun of karting.

In an Instagram post, the Haas driver said: "Today is a very special day for me, so I would like to share a new project that I launched earlier this week and which is very dear to my heart.

"We held the grand opening of the Formula of Freedom karting club for children and adults with cerebral palsy.

"Moving is living!"

The launch is a culmination of a push by Mazepin, who is a member of the board of trustees of the Gift to an Angel foundation, to help those with cerebral palsy with his efforts on display at his home grand prix last year as a young fan called Makar had the opportunity to sit in the Haas VF-21.

Speaking at the time, he explained: "Every driver can help when he can feel the issues and the needs he feels need the most addressing.

"One of the things in Russia, which I think is quite big, unfortunately, is cerebral palsy, which needs first education, and then the kids do need funds to do simple things that me and you do in our daily life without questioning it."

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A post shared by NIKITA (@nikita_mazepin)

The announcement comes at a time when Mazepin's future in F1 is uncertain given the global condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Mazepin's father and oligarch, Dmitry, saw his company Uralkali's logo's taken off Haas' car at the end of testing in Barcelona last week, whilst Motorsport UK's ban on Russian drivers competing in the country means the 23-year-old will miss the British Grand Prix, regardless of his team's decision on his future.

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