“Personally, I’m going through a very challenging time”: Nikita Mazepin reveals that internal problems at Haas make it very difficult for him

Nikita Mazepin says staff turnover and other internal issues at Haas weigh on his emotions and his on-track performance.

Nikita Mazepin was the subject of much discussion after qualifying in Sao Paolo on Friday. The Russian was not satisfied with his performance in the session and responded with tears when asked in an interview.

He later revealed that his result that afternoon wasn’t the only cause of his tears. There are a lot of internal problems in the Haas team at the moment, he says. These problems have influenced him mentally and it is difficult for him to adapt to the “changes” in his team.

“As you know, the team is shuffling around,” he explained. “People have come and gone in the last two races. I know that not everyone around me this year is planning on staying next year. My team of engineers is not the same and has changed since Turkey. “

Dominic Haines is Mazepin’s race engineer. He’s been on paternity leave for a long time and has only recently returned to the paddock. During his absence, Ayao Komatsu took on this role.

It was recently announced that Haines will be leaving Haas after this season.

Also read: Nikita Mazepin uses Interlagos YouTube videos to prepare without a simulator

The 2022 calendar made many people at Haas think about their future, says team boss

Haas team boss Günther Steiner added that the introduction of a 23 race calendar has resulted in a lot of people planning their exit from F1.

“You have a bit of variety every year,” said Steiner. “Especially with his car this year, some people just don’t want to do the 23-race plan next year. “Mazepin’s race engineer (Haines) has started a family and is leaving because he wants to do something different. He stays in racing, but not in Formula 1. He does something else.

The last # F1Sprint 2021 is over

P19 @SchumacherMick
P20 @nikita_mazepin

And there we should start tomorrow at #BrazilGP # HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/ylKWjZpI1o

– Haas F1-Team (@ HaasF1Team) November 13, 2021

Steiner also thinks they will be the last and not fighting for points has raised the low morale. The American team has had a sad year 2021. Your car is miles behind Alfa Romeo in terms of performance and neither driver has scored a single point this season.

Also read: Nikita Mazepin claims he was booted from a Red Bull party in Mexico

“A few people move, and of course when you’re at the back of the field. It’s always more because the motivation just isn’t as high as it is when winning.

“When you win and get great results, you keep yourself going by getting more results. So that’s completely normal. “