Nikita looks back on this first race after the F1 summer break in Belgium.
How was your summer break – did you switch off completely or did you already think about the second half of the season?
“The summer break was really good. Unfortunately, these three weeks are never long enough to switch off completely, as I had to take a few exams in September to get to the university. Formula 1 has a very long season and you have to take some time out to be optimally prepared for the mental challenges of the second half of the year. I focused on my studies, went to the mountains to ride a quad and buggy and just focus on the things I love. I have been training for the last week and a half so that I am fit for spa. “
The first race after some downtime is probably one of the hardest tracks to master – Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix – round 12 of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship 2021. Eau Rouge, left-right to Raidillon – how is it, to race through such famous – and challenging – corners?
“Spa is one of my favorite tracks in Formula 1 and in racing in general. The craziest thing about Spa is that the loop feels so long and sometimes you’re in the first sector and it’s dry and the second is wet because it’s on so much land. You drive through the woods and different stretches of road at different speeds, but if the car is good there it is the best route and the best driving experience. I’m looking forward to trying it out in Formula 1 – Eau Rouge at full throttle will be a very interesting feeling. “
Nikita Mazepin stood on the top step of the podium in Spa during his 2018 visit during the FIA Formula 3 season.
You won the sprint race here in 2018 and came second in the main Formula 2 race last year. How does it feel to win on a track like this?
“It feels amazing. Of course, I had a difficult win and even won twice, but the second time I got a penalty. It’s a really cool track because I like to do races where you can overtake people and Spa is a great overtaking track with a lot of possibilities, the speeds are high, the downforce is low, so to win on a track like this is something very special.”
The Belgian Grand Prix is known for varying weather conditions due to its size – sometimes with rain on some parts of the track and sun on others. How does this affect the car’s set-up for the weekend?
“It has no influence on that, because in Formula 1 – where you can’t change the setup after qualifying – depending on the weather, you’re in between where you could be. I hope it’s dry because I want to experience these G-forces and these top speeds. “
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