Nikita Mazepin Haas debut ends in disaster on lap one

Nikita Mazepin off on first lap in Bahrain — Photo: © LAT Images

Bahrain Grand Prix

Mazepin Haas debut ends in disaster on lap one

Mazepin into a barrier at same turn as Romain Grosjean's fiery crash last year

Will Gray

Sunday 28 March 2021 17:15 Updated: 17:23

Nikita Mazepin ended his debut Formula 1 race for Haas in disaster as he spun off on the opening lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Mazepin hit a barrier at turn three of the Bahrain International Circuit, the same turn where Romain Grosjean suffered his fiery crash last year, albeit on the opposite side of the track.

The Russian driver, who has joined Mick Schumacher in an all-new line-up at the team this year, was uninjured and was able to climb out of his car, walking away as the VF-21 was craned out of the gravel trap.

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Mazepin, who had already spun a handful of times during this event, pushed too hard and slid sideways into a barrier, becoming the first retiree of the new season.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez, meanwhile, stopped by the side of the track on the formation lap with an apparent electronics problem, with nothing appearing on the display of his steering wheel of the RB16B.

The Mexican driver, who joined the team this year as a replacement for Alex Albon, managed to recover, return to the pits and started from the pitlane after initially qualifying 11th.

Shortly before the race, his pit crew had been forced to change the energy store and control electronics after being unable to start up the car.

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