Former Minardi Cosworth driver, Nicolas Kiesa had recently spoken up about the on-track antics of Haas’ Russian rookie driver, Nikita Mazepin. He stated that the Russian “will do anything on-track” with the knowledge that his father, owner of Haas F1 Team title sponsor Uralkali, will keep paying the team to secure his seat on the team.
Written by Hafiz Akbar, Edited by Hazel Alagappan and Andrea Teo
Kiesa, who started five races for the Italian team back in 2003, recently spoke in an interview with BT that the rookie “disrespects the agreement made between drivers, especially in qualifying.” This was proven when Mazepin was caught impeding a speeding Lando Norris on his flying lap in Q1 during the Spanish Grand Prix on the 8th of May.
Nikita Mazepin Haas F1 Driver
He’s also been given the moniker “Mazespin,” having spun 11 times in five races this season alone, with him yet to finish ahead of his competitor. He was also caught ignoring the blue flag twice in consecutive races when race leaders Sergio Perez (Portuguese GP) and Lewis Hamilton (Spanish GP) were about to lap him.
In the meantime, he’s ruffled a few feathers in the paddock, drivers and team principals alike with his apparent lack of respect to the culture and agreements whilst out driving, be it in free practice, qualifying sessions, or during the race itself.
The Dane, who finished all five races he started for Minardi Cosworth, had this to say:
“Mazepin disrespects the agreements made between drivers, especially in qualifying. When it comes to your behaviour and conduct on track, it makes a difference to know whatever you do, dad is always going to keep paying.”
“Thats not how it works in Scandinavian countries. We have to behave properly, we can’t do much on our own initiative, before we’ve earned the right to say “now i’m good enough”.
The Russian rookie is set to make his sixth start for Uralkali Haas F1 Team in Baku in June. It will remain to be seen whether his attitude will improve or worsen over time.
Comentarios