F1 driver Nikita Mazepin apologises for ‘abhorrent’ video of him with woman in car

The Russian, 21, who will race for Haas next season, appeared to inappropriately touch a woman in the back seat of a car in the video which was posted on his own Instagram account

Formula One team Haas have slammed their 2021 driver Nikita Mazepin following an “abhorrent” video posted to his Instagram account where he is seen appearing to inappropriately touch a woman.

The Russian, 21, who will race for the American team next season, features in the video which shows the woman in the back seat of the car.

The woman seemed to reject his action, raising her middle finger. Mazepin has since removed the footage from his account.

However the footage gained attention on social media and Haas, who have signed up Mazepin to partner Mick Schumacher next season, released a strong-worded statement slamming his actions.

“Haas F1 Team does not condone the behaviour of Nikita Mazepin in the video recently posted on his social media,” the F1 team said in a statement.

“Additionally, the very fact that the video was posted on social media is also abhorrent to Haas F1 Team.

“The matter is being dealt with internally and no further comment shall be made at this time.”

Mazepin also issued an apology on Twitter and said that he must learn to hold himself “to a higher standard”.

“I would like to apologise for my recent actions both in terms of my own inappropriate behaviour and the fact that it was posted onto social media,” said Mazepin.

“I am sorry for the offense I have rightly caused and the embarrassment I have brought to Haas F1 Team.

“I have to hold myself to a higher standard as a Formula 1 driver and I acknowledge I have let myself and many people down. I promise I will learn from this.”

The woman in the video posted on Instagram to play down the severity of the incident.

She wrote: “Hi guys, I just want to let you know Nikita and I have been good friends for a long time and nothing from that video was serious at all!

“We trust each other so much and this was a silly way of joking between us. I posted this video on his story as an internal joke. I am truly sorry.

“I can give you my word he’s a really good person and he would never do anything to hurt or humiliate me.

Mazepin has a controversial past in motorsport, having been banned from competing in a Formula 3 European Championship race in 2016 following a physical altercation in paddock.

The Russian teenager was guilty of ‘unsporting behaviour in the paddock’, where it was claimed rival driver Callum Ilott was left with cuts to his cheek and neck, and swelling to his jaw.

Mazepin finished fifth in the Formula Two championship standings this season, which ensures he has enough points to gain an FIA Super Licence to compete in F1 next season.

Source: gpblog.com gpfans.com mirror.co.uk