Haas

Mazepin 'won't bite' on 'Uncle Ralf's' jibes - Steiner

Ewan Gale Friday 17 September 2021 15:10

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner doesn't believe Nikita Mazepin will 'bite' in response to comments made by Ralf Schumacher.

Tensions rose at Haas during the recent triple-header as Mazepin and team-mate Mick Schumacher clashed on numerous occasions, with both drivers critical of one another at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Despite moods being calmed ahead of last weekend's Italian Grand Prix, Mazepin took aim at comments made by Schumacher's uncle Ralf, suggesting the Russian has no place in F1.

Ralf responded at Monza and despite no reaction from Mazepin, Steiner is confident his driver will ignore comments made by the former race winner in the future.

"I heard about what Ralf said, I didn't read it," said Steiner.

"I always say everyone is free to say what he wants to say. It is a free world for me.

"I say what I want to say and I do not think that Nikita bites on it. Having the uncle being a commentator on TV, it is obviously very close to home but it is what it is.

"He has got his opinion, so it be. Let him have his opinion."

New Mazepin chassis a "start in a better direction"

Mazepin was granted his wish of being provided with a new chassis when returning from the summer break after complaints over the weight of his car compared to Schumacher's throughout the first half of the season.

Asked how much of a change the new chassis had made, Mazepin explained: "Very easily, going into school physics, the more weight you have going with you in the corner, the more downforce you need to carry the same speed.

"There is only so much downforce we use in this team and with more weight in the corner, the more sliding you have so the less weight in the car, the more speed I can carry with being in the same position as my team-mate.

"You can speak all you want but I have definitely taken an all of a sudden start in a better direction and to me it is very clear.

"Nevertheless I have been fighting to be in an equal position for quite long and I am happy to be in it.

"As a rookie driver, fighting with superstars that have been here for a long time, I still need to improve in a lot of areas."