The Haas System One group condemned new signing Nikita Mazepin for ‘abhorrent’ behaviour on Wednesday after the younger Russian posted after which deleted a video displaying a feminine passenger being groped in a automobile.
The photographs, in an Instagram story, continued to flow into elsewhere on social media even after their elimination.
“Haas F1 group doesn’t condone the behaviour of Nikita Mazepin within the video lately posted on his social media,” the US-owned group stated in a press release from Abu Dhabi, the place they’re getting ready for the ultimate race of the season.
“Moreover, the actual fact that the video was posted on social media can also be abhorrent to Haas F1 group,” it added, saying the matter was being handled internally.
Mazepin, son of a billionaire who made his fortune in fertiliser, apologised on Twitter for his “inappropriate behaviour” and the truth that the video was posted.
“I’m sorry for the offence I’ve rightly precipitated and to the embarrassment I’ve delivered to Haas F1 group,” added the 21-year-old.
“I’ve to carry myself to the next commonplace as a System One driver and I acknowledge I’ve let myself and many individuals down. I promise I’ll be taught from this.”
The Russian was introduced final week as a Haas driver for 2021 together with Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael.
Whereas Schumacher received the System Two title in Bahrain on the weekend, Mazepin was handed two penalties for forcing one rival off observe and blocking one other. He completed the F2 season in fifth place total, sufficient to achieve an F1 superlicence.
He additionally stood out for accruing 11 penalty factors throughout the marketing campaign, one wanting triggering a race ban.
Haas group principal Guenther Steiner stated that the penalties had been part of studying however “for positive we’ve got acquired our work minimize out.
“This stuff occur when your mind goes away,” he added.
