Nikita Mazepin has the least flattering record of all rookies set to compete in the 2021 season. Many have argued that Mazepin is just lucky to have a family inheritance and this has helped him win a seat in Formula 1.
AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost, who will see Yuki Tsunoda compete at the team this season, made a cryptic statement regarding rookie drivers being inducted in the sport.
“Of course, I could get brutal again and say you can’t make a tiger out of a cow! In the end, it always depends on how much brain a driver has and then switches on in the cockpit,” Tost said.
“In my long time in motorsport, I have found that, in the end, only drivers who are intelligent and know why they are doing something will prevail.”
It has been claimed that Tost was referring to Mazepin in this statement. However, he was full of praise for MickSchumacher and Tsunoda.
Mazepin is perhaps one of the least favourite drivers on the circuit this year and that too without even appearing at a single Grand Prix yet.
The crass nature in which he speaks has made the Russian an easy target for media outlets and fans alike.
Some even argue that he is the most disliked driver in recent years.
While Mazepin is sure to produce plenty of headline-grabbing content, his team will hope it does not come at the cost of bringing a ban on himself.