KANNAPOLIS, NC (WBTV) – The Kannapolis-based Haas F1 team struggled at Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix while Lewis Hamilton made history with his 100th win.
Uralkali Haas F1 team driver Nikita Mazepin finished in 18th place.
Mazepin started from 15th on Pirelli P Zero Yellow Medium tires and moved up to 13th on the first lap. Mazepin struggled with much faster cars but held a solid 16 in the first stint. Mazepin came back for Cinturato Green Intermediate Tires on lap 48 as a series of showers swept through the Sochi Autodrom, avoiding the drama that was happening to others to finish 18th on the checkered flag.
“It was a long race – a lot happened,” said Mazepin. “I had a very good first opening lap and then did my best to keep the faster cars behind me by using the battery smartly, which I did well. Then after we boxed, coming out on hard tires, I was still trying to keep the cars behind me and obviously someone overtook me and then I had a suspension and unfortunately for us when the hard tires lock, I do they never come back. We got a good reputation as a team for coming to the Inters, I was one of the first cars and I won back a lot of time. It was fun to overtake some cars that I could never overtake. Nevertheless, we know where we stand and are now looking forward to the next race. “
Schumacher also started on soft tires from 14th position on the grid, but fell back to the bottom of the field in a hectic opening lap. Schumacher regrouped and crossed the finish line on lap 20 with hard tires and joined teammate Mazepin and moved up to 19th on lap 32 just two laps later, ending his perfect finishing record this season.
“We obviously had a problem and tried to fix it on the track, but we couldn’t. It is what it is, we live and we learn and it is Formula 1 – something can happen there. It’s my first retirement this year and I was certainly hoping it would take a little longer or not happen at all this year, but it’s part of the game. We were very good at pace and the car felt really good. We take the positive with us, analyze it and bring it to Turkey, ”said Schumacher.
“We had a good start to the race with both cars,” said team boss Günther Stener. “Nikita had good pace in the first part of the race and had a few other cars behind her. Mick’s start wasn’t fantastic but he got out after his tire change and was very strong and then unfortunately he had a problem with the hydraulics and lost pressure. Nikita – when the blue flags started – the tires got cold and he was struggling to keep the pace, that was the reason. In the end we have a car to the end and we come back. “
In the lead, Mercedes-Lewis Hamilton took a historic 100th Formula 1 victory, while Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz completed the podium.
The Uralkali Haas F1 team will next be at the Turkish Grand Prix from October 8th to 10th at the Intercity Istanbul Park.
Haas F1 Team contributed to this story.
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