Sam Hall
Monday June 28, 2021 9:30 AM – Updated: 9:33 AM
Nikita Mazepin has attacked Haas critically, claiming he was a “carrot” that team-mate Mick Schumacher could catch at the Styrian Grand Prix.
The Russian rookie Mazepin has finished last in five of the eight races of his F1 career to date. During this time, his team-mate Schumacher praised Schumacher, having only crossed the finish line once in Monaco as the leading Haas driver.
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Commenting on his recent appearance at the Red Bull Ring, where he was again the last of the 18 drivers ranked, Mazepin said: “I think I drove a very good opening lap.
“I was satisfied with my positioning, I had prepared myself this morning in order to know very well where a lot of cars are potentially and how to get past them.”
Mazepin then pointed an accusatory finger at Haas, adding, “But when you have a lot of laps, long straights and a very heavy car compared to the other cars on our team, it’s very difficult to stay in front.
“I’m not happy, but I’m just waiting for a new one to get a chance because right now I’m just a sitting duck.
“I do my best at the beginning and then I’m just a carrot to catch and unfortunately I got caught, so that’s what it is.”
Mazepin expects Haas to do nothing
Before the race, Schumacher’s comfort in his VF-21 was a topic of conversation after Sebastian Vettel had looked into his compatriot’s cockpit a week earlier in France.
When asked about this topic, team boss Günther Steiner said that Schumacher would get a new seat upon request.
Across the garage, Mazepin wasn’t so sure his complaints would be dealt with in this timely manner.
When asked if he expected any changes soon, Mazepin replied: “Unfortunately not. Maybe in the next six or seven races, but that’s not very soon.”
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