Nikita Mazepin secures Haas F1 drive for 2021
Russian F2 driver secures multi-year F1 deal with Haas
LAT via Haas
Nikita Mazepin has signed a multi-year deal to drive for Haas in the 2021 F1 season.
Currently third in the F2 standings, the Russian has two feature wins this season and finished second in Sunday’s sprint race at Bahrain.
Mazepin has tested in Formula 1 machinery on multiple occasions, dating back to a run with Force India in 2017 as well as a test with Mercedes last season in Barcelona during an in-season test.
“I’m delighted that Nikita Mazepin will be driving for Haas F1 Team next season,” said Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner. “Nikita has underlined his credentials in Formula 2 this year with a brace of victories and a handful of podiums in what’s been a strong sophomore season for him.
“He’s developed into a mature racer moving up through the junior ranks – notably most recently in the GP3 Series, where he finished runner-up in 2018, and obviously in Formula 2 over the past two seasons. I’m excited to see what Nikita can achieve in Formula 1 and we look forward to giving him the opportunity to compete at the highest level of world motorsport. With a record-setting 23 race schedule set for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, he’s going to get plenty of track action to learn all the nuances of grand prix racing.”
Mazepin currently sits in third place in the F2 standings heading into the final round of the season in Sakhir. He still has a shot at being crowned champion, though his chances are slim with a 43-point gap to leader and potential ’21 Haas team-mate Mick Schumacher.
The Russian driver, whose father has been linked with a takeover of the American team, said: “Becoming a Formula 1 driver is a lifelong dream come true for me.
“I really appreciate the trust being put in me by Gene Haas, Guenther Steiner, and the whole of the team. They’re giving a young driver an opportunity and I thank them for that. I’m looking forward to starting our relationship together, both on and off the track, and I’m naturally keen to continue to demonstrate my abilities after a strong Formula 2 season. The team will be looking to me for feedback and inputs in order to refine its package for 2021 and beyond. I will take that responsibility on and can’t wait to get started.”