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- Nikita Mazepin, 21, is currently third in the Formula 2 classification.
- Mazepin is the first of likely two driver announcements as the team is apparently ready to add 21-year-old Mick Schumacher.
- Mazepin is the son of Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin.
The Haas F1 Team goes with youth beyond experience for its driver pairing in 2021.
On Tuesday, the team confirmed that it was entering Formula 2 and signed 21-year-old Russian Nikita Mazepin to a multi-year contract. A similar deal for 21-year-old Mick Schumacher is expected soon.
Mazepin is currently in third place in the Formula 2 classification. Schumacher, who has not yet been confirmed for Haas, leads the championship, which ends with a double header this weekend in Bahrain.
In the last five seasons of the team’s existence, the Haas officials have emphasized that at least one experienced driver should be used in the team to support the development of the cars. This strategy has not even achieved a single Formula 1 podium in five seasons. The team currently consists of 34-year-old Romain Grosjean and 28-year-old Kevin Magnussen. Both came to Haas with several years of experience in Formula 1 and each reached the podium with their former teams.
Haas has also shown no public interest in promoting its current reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi to full-time status for the next year. The 24-year-old Fittpaldi starts on Sunday in Bahrain for the first time in Formula 1 instead of the injured Grosjean.
Nikita Mazepin is third in the Formula 2 classification behind the front runner Mick Schumacher and the runner-up Callum Ilott.
Clive Mason – Formula 1Getty Images
With just three points in the overall standings, Haas is ninth in the F1 constructors’ championship – by far the lowest point in the team’s short history.
While Mazepin lacks the experience of freelance agents Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez available in Formula 1, he undoubtedly brings money with him. His father is Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin. Dmitry Mazepin is said to have been interested in buying Renault F1 or even the Haas team in Formula 1 earlier this year. Haas officials rejected these reports in October.
“I am very pleased that Nikita Mazepin will drive for the Haas F1 Team next season,” said Günther Steiner, Team Principal of the Haas F1 Team, podium places in what was for him a strong second season.
“He has developed into a mature racing driver who moves up through the junior ranks – especially in the GP3 series, where he finished second in 2018, and of course in Formula 2 in the last two seasons. what Nikita has to offer. ” can be successful in Formula 1 and we look forward to giving him the opportunity to compete at the highest level in motorsport in the world. With a record of 23 racing plans for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship 2021, he will experience plenty of action on the track to learn all the nuances of Grand Prix racing. “
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Mazepin graduated from karting in cars in 2015 and drove in the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. He drove two seasons in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship before switching to the GP3 series in 2018. Mazepin was runner-up in GP3 in 2018 with four wins.
Mazepin has some Formula 1 test experience as he was the fastest on the second day of testing in Barcelona in May 2019 when he drove for Mercedes.
“To become a Formula 1 driver is a lifelong dream for me,” said Nikita Mazepin. “I appreciate the trust that Gene Haas, Günther Steiner and the entire team have placed in me. They are giving an opportunity to a young driver and I thank them for that. I’m looking forward to starting our relationship together on and off the track, and of course I’m very interested in further demonstrating my skills after a strong Formula 2 season. The team will be asking for feedback and input as they refine their package for 2021 and beyond. I will take on this responsibility and I can’t wait to get started. “
Money talks in Formula 1. Was this a money robbery for Haas or is Mazepin a better choice than the proven racing drivers Nico Hülkenberg or Sergio Perez? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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The post The Haas F1 team strives for youth and experience with first driver selection for 2021 first appeared on monter-une-startup.
