Wednesday, September 22, 2021
“Likes Mick with all my heart”
Mazepin surprises with Schumacher praise
Conciliatory words in the row between Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher: The Russian is now talking about the difficult relationship between the two Haas pilots. He would like Schumacher “with all his heart”. He can easily explain why there is always trouble.
There is always stress in the Haas team between Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. Both are Formula 1 rookies in the same team, both are 22 years old, and both drove as teammates across the world in kart racing years ago. Nevertheless, there is sparks and cracks between them – not just in a metaphorical sense.
Last to be examined in Zandvoort and Monza: Mazepin pushed Schumacher towards a bollard during the race in the Netherlands – he had to have his front repaired during the pit stop. Mazepin then mocked his team-mate, saw the mistake at Schumacher. This was followed by a discussion, but: Team boss Günther Steiner told ntv / RTL that, despite the argument from the brawlers, he wasn’t really calm at the pit stand as soon as they got close. And the skirmishes continued: In Italy, the Russian caused a collision in which the German spun.
“There’s a lot going on and at the same time nothing,” said Mazepin in the F1 podcast “Beyond the Grid” when asked what was going on between the stable rivals. His explanation goes like this: You are two young drivers who want to reach the top of the motorsport premier class. And the longer the season lasts, the clearer it becomes: the only real, realistic opponent comes from the same team. “Finishing 19th can be a highlight and 20th place can be a really bad weekend. It’s ‘all or nothing’,” said Mazepin. “I don’t know how many more years we have together, but I don’t think it’s going to be a smooth ride.”
In sport it is like this: “You have a personality outside of the track and your competitive personality, which is often not the nicest. But it makes you work harder and sometimes leads to victories.”
Not everything went smoothly in the joint karting team
Mazepin and Schumacher even drove in a kart for the same team. Mazepin reminds us that even then everything did not go smoothly between the two of them. “It wasn’t a smooth ride either. Sometimes it was easier, sometimes more difficult.” Nevertheless, he now emphasized: “I like Mick with all my heart. He is a super talented boy. He has achieved an incredible amount in his career.”
But that is out of the way. “I don’t care who I race on the track,” said Mazepin. And Mick drives in the only car he was last able to land in front of. However, this has no influence on the personal. He also has a great relationship with Mick’s team and their mechanics.
Mazepin is therefore very certain that “everything will be fine”. “Everything I do is within the rules.” The next stress test for these words will be on Sunday – at the race in Sochi, Mazepin’s home game (2 p.m. / Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de). As part of the Grand Prix, the contracts of the two pilots are also to be extended. The journey continues for now – probably roughly.