Ewan Gale
Friday, September 17, 2021 2:10 PM – Updated: 2:14 PM
Haas team boss Günther Steiner does not believe that Nikita Mazepin will “bite” on Ralf Schumacher’s statements.
Tensions at Haas rose during the recent triple header as Mazepin and teammate Mick Schumacher clashed on numerous occasions, with both drivers facing each other critically at the Dutch Grand Prix.
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Although the mood calmed down ahead of the Italian Grand Prix last weekend, Mazepin targeted comments from Schumacher’s uncle Ralf, which suggested the Russian has no place in Formula 1.
Ralf reacted in Monza and despite no reaction from Mazepin, Steiner is confident that his driver will ignore the comments of the former race winner in the future.
“I heard what Ralf said, I haven’t read it,” said Steiner.
“I always say that everyone is free to say what they want to say. It’s a free world for me.
“I say what I want to say and I don’t think Nikita will bite it. Since the uncle is a commentator on TV, it’s obviously very close to home, but it is what it is.
“He has his opinion, so be it. Let him have his opinion.”
New Mazepin chassis a “start in a better direction”
Mazepin was granted his request for a new chassis on his return from the summer break after complaints about the weight of his car compared to Schumacher’s during the first half of the season.
When asked how much the new chassis has changed, Mazepin said: “Very easy when you start school physics, the more weight you take with you in the curve, the more downforce you need to carry the same speed.
“We only use as much downforce on this team and with more weight in the corner, the more glide you have, the less weight in the car, the more speed I can take with me when I’m in the same position as my team-mate.
“You can talk as much as you want, but I’ve definitely made a sudden start in a better direction and it’s very clear to me.
“Nevertheless, I’ve been fighting for an equal position for a long time and I’m happy to be in it.
“As a rookie driver who fights with superstars who have been here a long time, I still have to improve in many areas.”
The post Mazepin does not bite on the neck of ‘Uncle Ralf’ – Steiner first appeared on monter-une-startup.
