Nikita Mazepin declares there are "not very many gentlemen" left in F1

French Grand Prix

Mazepin declares there are "not very many gentlemen" left in F1

Mazepin has constantly been entangled in stories surrounding F1's 'gentleman's agreement'

Ewan Gale

Saturday 19 June 2021 20:45

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Nikita Mazepin has declared there are not "very many gentlemen" left in F1 after no talks were held about driving standards from Baku.

The Haas driver was critical of Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez in Azerbaijan for failing to comply with a so-called 'gentleman's agreement' given the criticism aimed at the Russian early on in the season, suggesting they too should be receiving the same targeting.

Having had a run-in with Carlos Sainz during Friday practice, Mazepin was asked if there had been any discussions over his Baku gripes to which he replied: "I don't think there are very many gentlemen around in F1 now.

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"Obviously, everyone said that I was breaking the agreement in Bahrain and then three very great drivers went out and did it in Baku.

"That is everything that I have seen. Maybe that was [happening] again so I have put that idea to the side. I haven't had it being brought up ever since."

Mazepin cites "grey zone" red flag rules after Schumacher crash

Haas showed improved form on Saturday afternoon at Paul Ricard, with Mick Schumacher reaching Q2 for the first time in his career.

However, the German triggered session ending red flags in Q1, meaning Mazepin was unable to improve upon his earlier efforts.

Asked if he believed the rules on whether drivers causing session stoppages should be changed, Mazepin conceded: "I think it is a bit of a grey zone.

"Obviously, some people will always be happy from it, some people will always be upset.

"I remember back when I raced in Eurocup Formula, if you are the cause of the red flag, they take your fastest lap away and I think it worked reasonably nicely to make sure drivers don't just put it into the wall when the time matters.

"However, if we are talking about today, I am going to be a little bit pessimistic and I am just going to say the race is very long in F1.

"It is not a formula Renault or F3 or F2 where you are able to keep that track position. I think probably Monaco and Baku would have been a bit more interesting with that rule but not for me to decide."