Mick Schumacher - No "clear approach" to avoid future collisions with Nikita Mazepin

Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin at Silverstone — Photo: © LAT Images

British Grand Prix

Schumacher - No "clear approach" to avoid future collisions with Mazepin

Haas pair collide again in sprint qualifying at Silverstone

Ewan Gale & Will Gray

Sunday 18 July 2021 14:00

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Mick Schumacher feels there is no way to prevent future collisions with Nikita Mazepin following the Haas duo's latest incident during the sprint race for the British Grand Prix.

The pair have been involved in a couple of accidents and near-misses this year since becoming team-mates, although the clash at Silverstone on this occasion was more accidental.

Mazepin spun out of the short race on the opening lap after locking up at turn three, causing him to slide into the rear of Schumacher's car, resulting in damage to both machines.

Schumacher, though, feels there is little more he can do to avoid Mazepin.

“Obviously, it starts off with us, unfortunately, starting very close to each other, in that case," said Schumacher.

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"So obviously I think it’s unfortunate because we both carry damage from it, which doesn’t improve the position we are in.

“But again it’s hard to say that there’s a clear way or clear approach of avoiding this because obviously, we’re racing, we’re very close by, and eventually those things will happen.”

Mazepin conceded it was his mistake as he pushed too hard at the start of the inaugural sprint race, but steered clear of an apology.

“I had a decent start, which I was very happy with, and then I was on the outside which then went to the inside from turn two to turn three, locked up going in and just, obviously, had to avoid my team-mate," said Mazepin.

“With the amount of lock I had it was pretty impossible not to spin it, so that’s what happened but then the race continued after that, no damage and a few more laps.”

Team principal Guenther Steiner has confirmed the incident was discussed during the debrief.

"The way I see it is we are where we are, the car understeered and obviously he [Mazepin] tries to do his best and slipped into it," said Steiner.

“My opinion is, obviously we should avoid it but it happens, it is one of these things.

"Fortunately, both cars continued so they could get their race in, which is important for them."