Formula 1: Nikita Mazepin development gets fans’ hopes up

A development involving Nikita Mazepin and his 2021 Formula 1 plans got fans’ hopes up before Haas ultimately confirmed he is going nowhere.

After posting a video which the Haas Formula 1 team described as “abhorrent” on his Instagram story a few weeks ago, Nikita Mazepin has faced much scrutiny and criticism, with most fans calling for the sport’s lone American team to fire him.

Haas admitted that the main reason they hired him to drive alongside Formula 2 champion Mick Schumacher next year is because of the funding brought by his billionaire father Dmitry, the founder and majority shareholder of Russian chemical company Uralchem.

They stood to lose that funding by firing the 21-year-old, whose checkered past goes far beyond a video in which he reached for a woman’s shirt and grabbed her breast.

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However, there were rumors that preexisting sponsors of the team would not allow them to bring him on board for 2021 and therefore Haas would stand to lose more than they’d gain by keeping his dad’s cash.

Then something happened that got fans’ hopes up.

Bio changes have become a “source” of rumors in Formula 1 as of late, with one involving Red Bull ultimately becoming true when they signed Sergio Perez to replace Alexander Albon and another proving untrue with Mercedes involving George Russell potentially replacing Valtteri Bottas.

That was no different in this situation.

Many fans were excited to see that Mazepin’s Instagram bio stated “Racing Driver”, with no reference to “Haas”.  This development came just days after he deleted all of his tweets, including his apology for posting the video.

Meanwhile, Pietro Fittipaldi’s Instagram bio said “HAAS F1 Driver”. Fittipaldi has been the team’s test and reserve driver since last year and got the chance to fill in for the injured Romain Grosjean for the final two races of the 2020 season alongside Kevin Magnussen.

Could it be that Fittipaldi would land Mazepin’s seat for 2021?

But Haas crushed those theories with the following statement, confirming that they have no plans to fire Mazepin or lose his dad’s money, like many expected.

"“Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will form its driver line-up for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 world championship. As per the team’s previous statement regarding the actions of Nikita Mazepin (9 December) – this matter has now been dealt with internally and no further comment shall be made.”"

However, the FIA, which backed Haas’ initial statement in a joint statement with Formula 1, may ultimately still have a say in whether or not Mazepin faces any further punishment for his abhorrent actions.