via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Brazilian Grand Prix – Jose Carlos Pace Circuit, Sao Paulo, Brazil – November 11, 2021 Haas’ Nikita Mazepin during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Brazilian Grand Prix – Jose Carlos Pace Circuit, Sao Paulo, Brazil – November 11, 2021 Haas’ Nikita Mazepin during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
It was a complicated start to the year for the Haas F1 team in 2022. They had struggled in the Barcelona pre-season test with reliability on their car and did the least amount of laps. But then the major change for the team occurred when they had to let go of their driver, Nikita Mazepin, from the team.
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Because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the American team sacked their Russian driver and also terminated the contract of their title sponsor Uralkali with immediate effect.
READ MORE: Who Is Nikita Mazepin’s Billionaire Father – Dmitry Mazepin?
But in the latest interview, Mazepin mentioned that before the abrupt end of his time in F1, he had a 4-year contract with Haas.
Nikita Mazepin gives an insight into his terminated Haas contract
The Russian driver did not pull back in his criticism of how he was let go from the team. He also pointed out that throughout his time in the sport, he had an uncompetitive car, which the team decided not to develop at all.
🗣️| Nikita Mazepin reveals he had a 4 year contract with Haas:
"Last year, the team invested $0 into developing a car unlike the other 9 teams and we were competing for P19/P20. So it's harsh to judge it in the very early days of my career. Plus I had a 4 year contract." #F1
— LC (@LappedCars) April 7, 2022
The American team had sacrificed all the development for the 2021 car to focus all their resources on 2022. Despite significant investment from Nikita’s father into the team, they did not invest any money last season in their car.
“Last year, the team invested $0 into developing a car unlike the other 9 teams and we were competing for P19/P20. So it’s harsh to judge it in the very early days of my career. Plus, I had a 4-year contract,” said Mazepin.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – February 23, 2022, Haas’ Nikita Mazepin during testing REUTERS/Albert Gea
It is certainly interesting to know that the Russian driver had such a long contract with Haas. But it is surely not a surprise as his father was a heavy investor in the team, which helped him get a seat in the sport.
WATCH THIS STORY: Shortest F1 Drivers Ever Featuring Yuki Tsunoda & Lando Norris
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The American team used the resources provided by Dmitry Mazepin to develop their 2022 cars. Nikita was the subject of a lot of criticism throughout the 2021 season for his driving. He was uncompetitive against his teammate Mick Schumacher and was very prone to spins and crashes.
So it is surprising to hear when he mentioned it is unfair to judge him from last season’s performance. Moreover, he did not put up a single noticeable performance that would put him in a good light.
