“My pace on one lap has improved massively since the first free practice session in Spa,” he says in his press round and adds mischievously: “And we all know what happened there.” What Mazepin means: After the summer break he got a new chassis. “It’s good to know that I can trust my feelings,” he adds. “The confidence that I lacked when the car did what it wanted is now coming back.”
Mazepin sits broad-chested in front of the computer and gives a well-educated talk in perfect English about the advantages of his new, lighter car. “It’s very simple physics that you learn in school. The more weight you carry into the curve, the more downforce you need. Otherwise the car will slide. The lower the weight, the more speed I can take into the curve – just like my team-mate. ”
Mazepin makes it absolutely clear that he felt at a disadvantage in the first half of the season with the old and slightly overweight chassis (by Kevin Magnussen). “I’ve been fighting for the same position for some time now (in the team; d. Editor). But that’s not so easy as a newcomer to superstars who have been part of Formula 1 for years. ”A tip that can only refer to Mick Schumacher and his family connection to father Michael and Uncle Ralf. Background: Ralf Schumacher, as a Sky expert, repeatedly expresses himself critical of Mazepin.
Nikita Mazepin
And Steiner? The team boss was caught off guard again by what his driver said when he appeared in front of the press just a few minutes later. His reaction to the chassis accusation of his pilot: “I don’t know what he means or what he thinks is better. I’ll have to ask him about that. ”
Steiner explains Mazepin’s increase in performance quite simply with increasing experience: “That comes from learning,” says the South Tyrolean. “A few good results are always good for self-confidence. He’s had some good races now. Before that, he didn’t know what to do with the car to make it do what he wanted. Now he knows. ”
