“It just complicates my job”– Haas admits that Nikita Mazepin has been given a heavier car than Mick Schumacher, but will be changed soon.
Understandably, the Haas drivers are not able to perform because of the car’s limitations but Nikita Mazepin head-to-head to Mick Schumacher has been losing massively.
To defend himself Mazepin has revealed that Haas has given him a heavier car, which is apparently making him slow against the German race driver.
“I wouldn’t say it’s unacceptable, it just complicates my job,” said the Russian rookie, whose Formula 1 debut this year has been tumultuous so far.
“It does have quite a big impact on the weight distribution and the setup, but I’m surrounded by great engineers and I’m sure the situation will get better.”
“When there are a lot of long straights and your car is heavier than the other one, it’s difficult to stay ahead,” Mazepin insisted.
He will get a new chassis soon
Guenther Steiner was quick to respond to Mazepin’s accusations and explained that the monocoque used in his car is older than the one used by Schumacher. He also said that Mazepin will receive a new chassis before the Belgian Grand Prix.
“It’s a year old, and usually you do a new car every year. And sure, a chassis doesn’t get lighter after a year,” admitted team boss Gunther Steiner, referring to the fact that constant patch-up jobs add to the weight.
“But the difference is not gigantic. It’s less than 20 kilos, or not even 10. Obviously, a heavier car doesn’t make you faster. Nikita will get a new chassis at Spa,” he added.
Apart from being slower than Schumacher, Mazepin has also been criticized for his alleged reckless driving, with four-five of the drivers on the grid have already used foul language against him for his on-track actions.
