Nikita Mazepin ‘Upset’ With Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel

The Gentleman’s agreement in Formula 1 has taken some major blows this season. As a result, Haas rookie Nikita Mazepin hasn’t been too happy about it; especially after Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel impeded his qualifying lap in Saudi Arabia, with no repercussions.

During the qualifying round in Jeddah, both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen overtook the Haas driver, after which they braked on the straight. This forced Mazepin to follow suit, thus ruining his chance of a representative lap.

‘We have a one-hour long meeting with [FIA race director Michael] Masi, who tells us the rules. The older generation of drivers says gentlemen’s agreement you don’t overtake into the last corner. Then the next day, in a very unsafe manner, dive-bomb you at the last corner and hold everyone back.”

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Mazepin was clearly dissatisfied with the entire situation. “The rules are the same for everyone and I am new in this sport, so I’ll play along with what others are doing.”

Nikita Mazepin criticizes the older generation of F1

As a rookie, Mazepin explains, the likes of Vettel and Verstappen are to set an example for the upcoming drivers. However, that hasn’t been the case. “What I think is unacceptable is criticizing the young generation and then later on, as the year goes on, really changing their approach slightly.”

The Russian also explained that since he isn’t in a competent machine, small things like these weigh heavy on him and the team. “I’m upset, but next time, I will take it with a pinch of salt that somebody says about gentlemen’s agreement.”

He even referenced an incident in Bahrain, when he was heavily criticized for blocking other cars on the track. ” I overtook some cars that were going very slow into the last corner because I felt like I needed to go and been harshly told that this is not acceptable and this is not what you do in Formula 1.”

However, now, the upset driver is willing to do what he sees works in the big league. With his rookie season in F1 coming to an end, Mazepin has the 2022 season ahead of him, one where he can prepare himself to be better suited to the world of F1.

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