Russian Nikita Mazepin made his F1 debut in 2021 with Haas, after finishing 2020 Formula 2 in fifth place, and took a 14th place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as best result in his rookie year in Circus.
The Haas proved to be the slowest car of the group all season, so Mazepin had to fight at the back of the grid, most of the time only with teammate Mick Schumacher.
Mazepin admitted he was proud of how he lived through this difficult first year, but also added that he could have done better, adapting more to the needs of F1.
“I finished school four years ago and it’s the last time I got grades. But I don’t miss them very much,” Mazepin said.
“I don’t think I can give myself a five, because that represents excellence (in Russia the marks go from 2 to 5, ed), and I don’t know what excellence is. Sometimes I seem to reach it, but the next day I realize that I could have done something more “.
“So four is the most I can give myself. I think I deserve it for how I resisted, as there have been some really tough moments a few times.”
“I should probably give myself a three for the fit, because it wasn’t my strong point and because I can keep improving.”
Mick Schumacher, Haas F1, Nikita Mazepin, Haas F1
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Mazepin’s rookie season was marked by several errors throughout the year, including the crash at the start of the Bahrain GP, which was one of the lowest points for him.
“I have used different cars this year, so certainly when I used the more difficult or heavier ones, there were the most complicated moments,” he said, referring to having to use a heavier chassis in several races this year. .
“Then I also made some mistakes like in the Bahrain race and in some other GPs where I don’t seem to have gone well. In Brazil, for example, I pushed too hard and I didn’t manage to set a good time when I could have beaten the Williams or even go to Q2 “.
“This was certainly one of the lowest points, but there were also a lot of ups. I had a good race at Silverstone, but also in Brazil and Mexico.”
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