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Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater explains why Haas 2021 Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin has been forced to apologise
Haas have issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the “abhorrent” behaviour of their 2021 Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin in a video posted on social media.
Mazepin, who was confirmed as a new Haas driver last week, posted a short video on his Instagram stories on Tuesday night, in which he appears to reach from the passenger seat of a car and inappropriately touch a woman’s chest on the back seat.
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The woman reacts by moving her hand in reaction to being touched, before showing her middle finger to the camera and covering the lens.
The video was swiftly deleted but circulated elsewhere on social media, to widespread criticism.
Haas, who have an all-rookie line-up with Mazepin and Mick Schumacher next year, responded by issuing a statement criticising the Russian, 21, and confirming that they will deal with the matter internally.
“The matter is being dealt with internally and no further comment shall be made at this time.”
Mazepin also apologised for his actions, and the sharing of them on social media.
“I have to hold myself to a higher standard as a Formula 1 driver and I acknowledge I have let myself and many people down. I promise I will learn from this.”
The woman in the video, model Andrea D’lVal, shared her own statement on Instagram on Wednesday, insisting that she and Mazepin are “good friends”, the video was a “joke”, and that she was the one who posted it on his story.
“Hi guys, I just want to let you know Nikita and I have been good friends for a long time and nothing from that video was serious at all!” she said.
“We trust each other so much and this was a silly way of joking between us. I posted this video on his story as an internal joke. I am truly sorry.
“I can give you my word he’s really a good person and he would never do anything to hurt or humiliate me.”
Mazepin finished fifth in the Formula 2 championship this season, 51 points behind the title-winner, and soon-to-be team-mate, Mick Schumacher.
Sourse: skysports.com
