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'Abhorrent': Fury over driver's 'inappropriate' act on social media

andrew reid
·2-min read
Pictured here, Russian F2 driver Nikita Mazepin looks on in a face mask.
Nikita Mazepin has come under fire over an "abhorrent" video he posted to social media. Pic: Getty

Nikita Mazepin is yet to make his debut for Haas in Formula One, but already the Russian driver's career is in jeopardy.

American F1 team Haas has come out and slammed the 21-year-old driver over a video he posted to social media.

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Haas says it does not condone the behaviour of Mazepin following an Instagram video the team has labelled "abhorrent".

The clip shows the Russian sitting in the back seat of a car where he reaches and grabs a woman sitting next to him inappropriately by the chest.

The lady then moves his hand away and raises a middle finger, before swatting the camera away.

Mazepin later removed the video, but the damage had already been done.

"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."

Driver remorseful over incident

Mazepin also issued a statement expressing his regret.

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

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

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

Nikita Mazepin is is pictured here as part of Racing Point's Formula One testing.
Nikita Mazepin is set to partner Mick Schumacher at Haas in 2021. Pic: Getty

Mazepin, the son of billionaire businessman Dmitry Mazepin, was only announced as an F1 driver for 2021 last week.

He will race alongside Formula Two champion Mick Schumacher in a new-look pairing at Haas next year.

with AAP

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