Not Hamilton or Verstappen! Mazepin Names 2 F1 Drivers He’d Pick If He was Team Boss

Having a good driver pairing is always essential for any team to compete for wins and titles and, more importantly, to keep the integrity within the team. Therefore, the teams on the grid generally prefer to pair a young driver with an experienced one. However, Nikita Mazepin has a totally different ideology behind selecting a perfect driver pairing.

Ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix, Nikita Mazepin has revealed the two drivers he would select from the current grid if he was a team principal.

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Who did Nikita Mazepin select?

During an interview with Ziggo Sport, when asked which two drivers he would select from the grid if he was a team principal, Nikita Mazepin replied: “I would select Daniel Ricciardo.”

“To have a driver who’s always smiling. And I would select Valtteri [Bottas] because I don’t think he smiles that much,” concluded the young Russian driver.

Experienced reserve driver would be of “good help” for next season: Mazepin

The pairing of Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher, who will also team up together next year at Haas is by far the most inexperienced pairing on the grid. The two drivers have spent much of their rookie season in the pinnacle of motor racing at the back of the grid.

The 22-year-old Russian driver believes it could be very helpful for the American team to have an experienced reserve driver at their disposal for the next season.

“I’ve never been asked that question and I don’t think the drivers get to choose it. I don’t think that’s correct,” said Nikita Mazepin.

“But if I was to be asked, I think more help in the position we are at now is good help. I’m open to any solution, but Guenther is the team boss, and he needs to take these decisions, not me. I’m too young for it,” concluded Mazepin.

Read More: WATCH: Kimi Raikkonen & Mick Schumacher Narrowly Avoid a Dangerous Crash in the Pits at Turkish GP

Can Nikita Mazepin and Haas F1 team fight for the top 10 positions next season? What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.