Antonio Giovinazzi criticized Formula 1 newcomer Nikita Mazepin for lack of respect after ruining his qualifying lap at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The pair had a run-in in Imola in the first quarter when Haas driver Mazepin overtook Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo on his way to the first chicane as both of them started their final laps of flight, hampering the Italian’s efforts.
Drivers typically follow a qualifying etiquette when attempting to give each other space to begin their respective time laps. Mazepin seemed to ignore this, however, as he stepped into Giovinazzi’s slipstream on the main straight and battled for position on the track.
Both drivers were eliminated in the opening segment of qualifying and Giovinazzi was unimpressed by Mazepin’s actions and said on team radio: “What is Mazepin doing honestly?”
It is the second time in two Grand Prix that the Russian has overtaken the drivers at the start of the qualifying round after having done so at the season opener in Bahrain.
And Giovinazzi has accused Mazepin of being disrespectful at the beginning of his F1 career.
“It’s very clear,” said Giovinazzi after qualifying.
“We respect each other at the start of the lap and he didn’t respect that. It’s really not right for a qualifying round. I didn’t do my last lap.”
On the subject of matching items
Mazepin explained his actions, insisting that he had little alternative as time was running out at the end of the first quarter.
“It’s a bit difficult in F1 as there are obviously 20 cars in the first segment that we are in,” he said.
“Everyone goes out at the same time and the track just isn’t big enough for all of us.
On the subject of matching items
“We had this talk about the gentlemen’s agreement and obviously I had no problem with that. But when there are three seconds on the clock, it’s either you go or you have to box and go over the start / end first.
“So I don’t think there’s a problem with that. I’m here to do my laps and we’re all in the same world.”
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