F1 villain Nikita Mazepin hits back amid Schumacher family feud

Multiple members of the Schumacher clan have complained about Haas driver Nikita Mazepin’s efforts to thwart the young gun of the family.

Ralf Schumacher, brother of seven-time world champion Michael, believes Haas driver Nikita Mazepin has “no place in Formula 1”.

Former F1 star Ralf Schumacher, brother of seven-time world champion Michael, believes Nikita Mazepin has “no place in Formula 1” following an on-track incident with teammate Mick Schumacher at the Dutch Grand Prix.

During qualifying at Circuit Zandvoort, the two Haas drivers were squabbling over track position at Turn 13 and subsequently blocked Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel in his flying lap.

Stewards agreed Mazepin and Schumacher had compromised Vettel’s lap, but no further action was taken.

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Mazepin voiced his frustration with reporters after the qualifying session, arguing Schumacher — Michael’s son and Ralf’s nephew — had disobeyed team running order rules, a claim the German categorically denied.

“I’m really annoyed,” Mazepin said. “There shouldn’t be any tension like that in the team, so I’m f***** off.”

Then 24 hours later, Schumacher was left fuming after an aggressive defensive move from Mazepin during first lap of Sunday’s race. When asked by Sky Sports whether he thought the pair could talk the situation through, Schumacher replied: “I don’t think so, to be honest.

“It seems like he has this thing in his head where he wants to, by any costs, be in front of me.”

Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher have their say on what happened in the Q1 incident with Sebastian Vettel 🗣🗣#DutchGP 🇳🇱 #F1pic.twitter.com/n6gY7LS9ZH

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 4, 2021

Speaking to Sky Deutschland this week, Schumacher’s uncle Ralf fanned the flames, suggesting Mazepin’s actions were “life-threatening”.

“Mick was in a perfect position to overtake when Mazepin twitched and pulled over and even broke Mick’s front wing in the process,” he said.

“Such actions at these high speeds are life-threatening. With actions like this, Nikita has no place in Formula 1.

“The risks he is taking do not go with his talent. He seems overwhelmed and frustrated.

“(Haas boss) Gunther Steiner has to intervene now and urgently. Even if the money is necessary, that cannot be the price for endangering your team.”

Mazepin defended his on-track conduct and responded to the Ralf’s damning remarks on Thursday.

“I obviously respect opinions, because everyone‘s got them but it just seems like he’s obviously protecting his family, and what can I say. If his family needs protection in Formula 1, then I’m more than happy to listen to those things,” he said.

Nikita Mazepin has managed to irritate almost half of the F1 grid this season. Photo by Andrej Isakovic – Pool/Getty Images

Ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, every second of which can be seen on Kayo Freebies, Mazepin was asked if Haas team principal Gunther Steiner had spoken to the pair about the incident.

“He has, and good to know that I’m not in the bad books, so that’s positive,” Mazepin said on Thursday.

“But I want to respect the privacy of the discussions, those were closed and I don’t think it would be comfortable for all parties if it was an open discussion, so I’ll keep it in that (way).

“We’ve deemed that I have not broken any sort of rules or violation within the FIA Sporting and racing regulations, and therefore I think we’re going to work as a team to try and fix that.

“What the rules say in the book is that unless a significant portion of the car behind is side-by-side to you, you are not (obliged) to leave a car width and you’re entitled to make a move from the left to the right because you’re still in front and you can make your position safely.

“That’s been the case for many, many years and I respect (that) and I’m going to keep doing so … But perhaps sometimes you need to lift when you see that there is a bollard in front of you instead of damaging your car, but we’ll see.”

Both Mazepin and Mick Schumacher denied rumours Steiner had handed out rules of engagement following the Dutch Grand Prix.

The Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to get underway at 11pm AEST on Sunday.