Haas to retain Mazepin after investigation

Formula One’s sole American outfit, the Haas F1 Team has confirmed that Nikita Mazepin will not lose his race seat for the 2021 F1 season despite his video controversy.

Just one week after the American team announced that Mazepin would be making his F1 debut with the team in 2021, the Russian driver posted a video on his Instagram account. The short clip showed Mazepin while he was groping a woman in a car.

Following the incident, Haas said that it would take the matter seriously, but would deal with it privately. The Kannapolis-based outfit has now announced that it would keep the 21-year-old Moscow-born driver, who will make the switch from the FIA F2 Championship to the pinnacle of motorsport next year.

“Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will form its driver lineup for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship,” a team statement read.

“As per the team’s previous statement regarding the actions of Nikita Mazepin (December 9) - this matter has now been dealt with internally and no further comment shall be made.”