Nikita Mazepin has credited his new chassis for his improved pace since the Belgian GP.
The Russian rookie had a terrible start to the season, with the worst pace on the grid. He felt that was down to having a slightly heavier chassis than what his teammate Mick Schumacher was using.
Accordingly, Haas provided him one during the Belgian GP. However, team principal Guenther Steiner had said back then that the difference wouldn’t be too apparent.
Mazepin credited his new chassis for his improved pace since the Belgian GP. He also suggested that he feels he can achieve more in the car now.
“I think our one-lap pace has massively improved ever since I drive from FP1 in Belgium,” Mazepin said, as quoted by Motorsport.com.
“I think we all know what was the change in FP1 in Belgium. So it’s good to know that I can trust my feelings. The good thing is that the pace is here now, and we have a long season ahead of us.
“So I’m sure that it’s only going to get better, because the confidence that I have lost in the beginning of the year, when the car wasn’t doing what it was supposed to do, now it’s coming to the truth.”
Someone finally paid attention
Mazepin revealed his thoughts on the switch using basic school physics, and explained why he felt he was faster than before.
“Going into school physics, the more weight you have going with you in the corner, the more downforce you need to carry the same speed,” he explained.
“Obviously, we have only so much downforce that we use in this team, and the more weight you have in the corner, the more sliding you have. So the less weight from the car, the more speed I can carry with being in the same position as my teammate.
“You can speak all you want, but I think I’ve definitely taken an all of a sudden step in a better direction. And, to me, it’s very clear. I’ve been fighting for an equal position to be in for quite long, and I’m very happy to be in it,” he concluded.
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