Haas to continue Nikita Mazepin investigation after Abu Dhabi weekend - Guenther Steiner

Haas

Haas to continue Mazepin investigation after Abu Dhabi weekend - Steiner

Mazepin sparked fury after posting an "abhorrent" video on social media

Sam Hall

Saturday 12 December 2020 19:48

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has confirmed he will switch focus back to the investigation of 2021 driver Nikita Mazepin's behaviour after the conclusion of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

On Wednesday night, Mazepin posted a video on his Instagram account in which he groped a woman's breast while a friend was driving. The video was soon deleted.

Haas then released a statement on Thursday labelling the Russian's behaviour as "abhorrent". Steiner later told GPFans: "It is a subject we take very seriously."

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Speaking after qualifying for the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Kevin Magnussen 17th - albeit starting last on the grid due to a power unit penalty - and Pietro Fittipaldi 19th, Steiner has reiterated his stance.

“As I said, I will not discuss it," said the Haas boss. "This is a private thing between him and me and if you guys [the media] think I do not take it seriously, you can have your opinion.

"For me, I will do this my way and I don’t want to share that way. I’m sorry.”

Asked whether the team would make any punishment handed to the Russian public knowledge, Steiner summarised a decision had yet to be taken.

He explained: “I cannot commit on that one yet because we had talks but the talks will continue when the race weekend is over because, as I said, I take it seriously and I don’t want to do it in between things.

“We have got a race weekend going on. I spoke with him when it happened. I spoke with him also yesterday about things and it will continue.

“I want to see what the outcome is, how we deal with this and then, if we feel it is needed to come out, we will come out. If we think we can deal without it coming out, we will do that one.

“But I have not a plan for that one set in stone. We still have to deal with part of the issue.”