Italian Police seize properties belonging to former Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin

By Sammy Mngqosini and Livia Borghese, CNN

Updated 1541 GMT (2341 HKT) April 12, 2022

Properties belonging to former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin and his father, Dmitry, have been seized by Italian authorities in an effort to sanction wealthy Russians linked to President Vladimir Putin.

(CNN)Italy has seized properties valued at €105 million ($114.32 million) belonging to Nikita Mazepin and his oligarch fatherDmitry, Italian financial police confirmed in a statement Monday.

The former Haas driver and his father are included on a list of individuals sanctioned by the EU in early March following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Mazepin Sr. was described by the EU as «a member of the closest circle of Vladimir Putin» since he was invited by the Russian president to a February meeting of 36 other business people to discuss how sanctions would impact Russia.A statement from the Italian financial police read: «A real estate asset worth approximately 105 million euro has been frozen because the property is attributable to the Russian billionaire Dmitry Arkadievich Mazepin and his son Nikita Dmitrievich Mazepin, until March 5 a Formula 1 driver of the Haas F1 Team.»The property is a residential compound in Portisco, Sardinia.Read MoreThe property which has been seized is a residential compound in Portisco.«The two Mazepins are among the Russians targeted by sanctions by the European Union.»The ownership of the Sardinian real estate is connected to the Mazepins via a «foreign company,» the statement added.Mazepin's manager declined to comment when contacted by CNN. It is unclear if the manager was speaking for both men, but told CNN, «Neither of them wishes to comment.»In an interview with the BBC before his Sardinian property was seized,