The former Mercedes Sports Director, Norbert Haug advises Haas driver Mick Schumacher not to allow himself to be provoked by his teammate Nikita Mazepin.
Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin had an aloof relationship after they were involved in yet another near-miss incident at Circuit Paul Ricard.
First at Baku, where the German driver was way ahead of Mazepin. However, the Max Verstappen crash resulted in a red flag which gave the Russian an opportunity to un-lap himself.
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After the restart, Mick Schumacher tried to overtake Nikita Mazepin, but the Russian maneuvered his car over to the right to stop Mick Schumacher. Luckily, the German avoided any contact with his teammate.
Second at Le Castellet, when only in the fifth lap of the race, the Russian made a forceful move on Mick Schumacher. The Russian got a run up the inside of his teammate into Turn 3, which ran Mick out of room.
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What did Norbert Haug say about Mick Schumacher?
Norbert Haug advised Mick Schumacher not to allow himself to be aroused by his Russian teammate Nikita Mazepin.
“When your team-mate sees – it’s like in real life – that you’re upset about him, that’s the first plus point for the team-mate. ” In his opinion, it would be much better to ignore Mazepin, simply “pretend that nothing is happening,” said the former Mercedes Sports Director, Norbert Haug.
“I think that this is a wonderful means when someone thinks: ‘He has to cook now, he has to cook now!’ And he’s still not boiling. That’s Mister Cool.
“And if you, as a racing driver, are Mister Cool and fast, then you already have the two most important ingredients.” (Quotes translated from German via Google translate)
”We do our thing, he does his”: Mick on his teammate
After the French Grand Prix, Mick Schumacher was not happy with his teammate’s lack of professionalism.
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“It doesn’t have to be [like that]. I think I have to talk to the team about it again. If that’s how it’s going to be in the end, then it’s like that,” said Mick Schumacher who finished the race 19th just ahead of his teammate Nikita Mazepin.
“We do our thing, he does his. Most people can explain to themselves that it doesn’t have to be like that. At this level, I can’t quite understand it.”
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Read More: Fernando Alonso Believes Alpine Can Target Ferrari’s F1 Weakness Exposed at French GP.
What do you think? Can we witness more clashes from the Haas duo with the Styrian Grand Prix just around the corner? Let us know in the comments section below.