HE has not even raced in Method One but however already there are folks calling for him to be banned.
He is been labelled “a lout” by Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz and the hashtag #SAYNOTOMAZEPIN is repeatedly trending on Twitter.
Mazepin has not even made his debut in F1 but
But some need him banned alreadyCredit score: Getty Photos – Getty
The wealthy child might be driving for Haas Credit score: Instagram @nikita_mazepin
Not the influence that 21-year-old Nikita Mazepin – or certainly his Haas crew – would have anticipated or needed again in December when he was confirmed as their driver for 2021.
Mazepin is a slightly-better-than-average racer who completed final season in fifth place within the Method 2 championship.
However the query mark over the Russian’s expertise is barely a minor fear in comparison with his behaviour, which is the trigger for concern and the social media outcry.
Mazepin is not any stranger to controversy, but when he posted a video on social media groping a female’s chest, folks actually took discover.
The incident occurred shortly after he was confirmed by Haas and there was a subsequent apology and the video deleted.
Extra not too long ago, he made disparaging remarks about his new teammate Mick Schumacher and posted a silly message wishing Covid a ‘completely happy birthday’.
He has additionally beforehand been banned from racing for punching Callum Ilott within the face after the Brit spoiled one among his flying laps throughout a observe session.
Mazepin likes to indicate off his lavish life-style
He has over 100,000 followers on InstagramCredit score: Instagram @nikita_mazepin
He got here fifth in Method 2 final 12 monthsCredit score: Instagram @nikita_mazepin
Let’s be sincere right here, had another racing driver displayed such behaviour, he’d not come near an F1 seat.
The distinction right here is Mazepin’s dad, Dmitry, is a billionaire and that type of backing is prone to have caught Haas’s consideration.
So, given Haas’s choice to choose – and stick – with Mazepin, what can they do to make sure he modifies his perspective?
There may be training, one thing that Haas boss Gunther Steiner said they would do, saying: “We have to work on it to offer him the very best alternative to study from this, consider his racing and guarantee he would not do it anymore.
“He is aware of that. He realises that what was achieved wasn’t proper. I am not the kind of man who kicks within the face somebody who’s on their knees – that is not proper.
“This can be a younger man who must develop up and for positive now we have handled this and we are going to proceed to cope with this.
“We’re not saying that this was OK and letting him get away with it. We’re educating him and can carry on educating him for his future.”
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Mazepin sparked severe controversy when he posted a video of him groping a lady – he later apologisedCredit score: Instagram @nikita_mazepin
The 21-year-old is backed by his billionaire fatherCredit score: Instagram @nikita_mazepin
The acid check might be if he once more causes controversy, for the concern is his card has already been marked.
We now have seen how drivers in F1 rapidly earn a reputation for themselves for his or her actions each on and off observe and that’s generally exhausting to shake.
Take outgoing Haas driver Romain Grosjean, as soon as labelled a “first lap nutcase” by Mark Webber, it caught with the Frenchman throughout his time in F1.
Will Mazepin’s “lout” tag stay now for the remainder of his racing profession?
Finally, it’s now as much as him to persuade the world in any other case, and one wonders if he’ll or certainly if he really cares.
Till now, there seems little regret, but then once more, he has not been offered to the world’s press to ship a heartfelt apology.
The priority is that, given his prolonged misdemeanour sheet, Mazepin will transfer on unopposed and with out altering his methods.
Wherein case the one approach he’ll pay attention is that if F1 or the FIA converse up and name him to account.
Solely then is he prone to act and for that, the game and the governing physique want to seek out some balls.
Mazepin will companion Mick Schumacher for Haas within the upcoming seasonCredit score: Instagram @nikita_mazepin
