Ralf Schumacher gave a damning verdict on Nikita Mazepin, saying that he should not be competing in F1.
Mazepin completed one of the worst rookie seasons in recent memory. Many crashes, slips, rule-breakings and swear words defined his season, but he will be driving for Haas in 2022.
The Russian driver was miles off the pace of even his teammate and Ralf’s nephew Mick Schumacher. He has gotten into tussles with the German rookie as well, something that never sat well with the retired Schumacher.
Ralf gave a damning verdict on Mazepin, and suggested that he was simply not good enough for the big leagues of motorsport.
“Mazepin was certainly a good driver in Formula 2,” he told Sky Sports Germany, as quoted by Racingnews365.com.
“But this year, he has developed in the wrong direction and should actually be doing something different. He doesn’t necessarily have to drive Formula 1.”
Development
Ralf has been a vocal critic of Mazepin since the beginning of the season. He has criticised him almost every race weekend, and barring one or two moments has been bang on every single time.
The problem with Haas’ double-rookie approach is that they are more of a problem to the rest of the grid. Their inexperience shines through, and while Mick has been refined, the same cannot be said for his teammate.
Ralf pushed for a better teammate for Schumacher, and said that such a move from Haas would refine Mick further.
“(Mick needs someone) who can help him,” he said.
“Someone who can work with him to move the team forward, so that Mick is not alone in a lost cause.
“It depends on what Haas makes available to him. Then it’s up to him to implement it.”
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