Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin avoid penalties after Sebastian Vettel impeding

Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher for Haas — Photo: © LAT Images

Dutch Grand Prix

Schumacher and Mazepin avoid penalties after Vettel impeding

Haas drivers were both summoned after Q1 incident

Ian Parkes

Saturday 4 September 2021 18:00

Haas drivers Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher have both avoided penalties for the Dutch Grand Prix after an investigation into the blocking of Sebastian Vettel.

The Aston Martin driver was on his flying lap at the end of Q1 when he was forced to brake hard on the approach to the final corner as Mazepin pulled out from behind Schumacher and across the four-time champion's racing line.

Given the short nature of the Zandvoort circuit, the Haas duo were towards the front of a queue of cars trying to build gaps in their bid to improve on their times at that stage.

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Mazepin has also revealed he was trying to get in front of Schumacher as he should have been the first car on track, only to be denied by the German.

Following a stewards' hearing, a report read: "There is no doubt that the lap of car 5 [Vettel] was compromised, however, we note in particular the comment of the driver of car 5 that “there were too many cars in the one place”.

"There were at least six cars in line, preparing for a fast lap, and all of these were travelling at slow speed [some at less than 50kph] whereas car 5 was approaching at up to 240kph.

"Although car 5 was impeded, in the circumstances this was not 'unnecessary impeding'. The drivers and team representatives present agreed."

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