Search
shop

Former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin is now a triathlete after brutal race with 46 degrees heat and cheetahs

No really....
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin has a new sport – he is now officially a triathlete.

The 26-year-old Russian spent a season in F1 with the Haas team (failing to score a point), before his dreams of making it big in that sport were ended in early 2022. His team parted ways with him soon after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine.

Since then Mazepin has tried a number of pursuits as well as still keeping his hand in motorsport – he raced the 24 Hours of Dubai in early 2025. But his favourite new thing it appears is swim/bike/run.

Nikita Mazepin Triathlete Challenge Sir Bani Yas 2025
Former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin in action during the Challenge Sir Bani Yas triathlon in April 2025 (Photo – Challenge Sir Bani Yas).
Advertisement

Mazepin at Challenge Sir Bani Yas

Nikita’s first big triathlon of 2025 was the new race that is Challenge Sir Bani Yas, which takes place on an island in the United Arab Emirates.

Wearing bib number 303, Mazepin took part in the big race as an Age Grouper in the 24-29 category, over a 1.9km swim, 96km bike and 21.1km run in the middle of a landscape which is home to cheetahs, hiyenas and giraffes. A brutal test.

Results and time splits

Nikita began his day with a 35:38 swim, and followed it up with a 2:30:47 bike leg. He the finished his day with the small measure of that half-marathon run, completing it in a time of 1:46:30.

Mazepin’s total finishing time was 5:39:53, good enough to place him 4th in his Age Group – not too shabby for a first effort.

After the race he appeared ecstatic as he posed for photos with his finisher’s medal, and he spoke of that excitement in a post on his Instagram account.

Mazepin said the race gave him the ‘coolest emotions since F1’ – pretty high praise – and said of his day: “Completed my first half-distance race in Sir Bani. The heat here was the main challenge for everyone, reaching 46 degrees at the peak of the race. A couple of times because of overheating it seemed like I would not make it to the finish line.”

But make it to the finish line he did, and now we wait to see where he races next as the 2025 triathlon season rumbles on.

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
Challenge Sardinia location
Let’s race… Challenge Forte Village Sardinia
Are calf sleeves actually worth it for triathletes? How many watts aero calf compression sleeves could save you
Laura Siddall Patagonman Xtreme Triathlon 2023
PremiumAre we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
Is sports nutrition bad for you? Ultra-processed foods are under siege, and athletes are caught in the cross fire – but should we be worried?
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
The ultimate city break triathlon race-cations: from Challenge Barcelona to Singapore T100 these are the best city centre races to combine multisport with sightseeing
latest News
Alex Yee champagne WTCS Grand Final 2024 Torremolinos photo credit World Triathlon
London calling: WTCS racing returns to the UK from 2026 onwards
Podium Beaugrand Potter Lombardi WTCS Grand Final Torremolinos 2024 photo credit World Triathlon
WTCS Grand Final Wollongong 2025: Date, start times and how to watch live as it all goes down to the wire
Ashleigh Gentle wins T100 French Riviera 2025
Wollongong T100: Date, start times and how to watch live on double-header weekend
Lauren Steadman Paralympic Games Great Britain
Wollongong 2025: World Para Triathlon Championships preview
Taylor Knibb sat on road as crowd watch at finish of IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2025
IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2025: Laura Siddall reflects on a race for the ages
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
247 Endurance

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...