Formula 1: Nikita Mazepin rival shares hilarious response to his spin

Nikita Mazepin’s disaster of a Formula 1 debut was largely entertaining for a good portion of the fanbase, and even several other drivers.

What was already a disastrous first Formula 1 race weekend for rookie Nikita Mazepin at Bahrain International Circuit got even worse on the opening lap of the 2021 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Mazepin, who had qualified in 20th (last) place around the 15-turn, 3.363-mile (5.412-kilometer) road course in Sakhir, Bahrain, got to start in 18th after Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel was penalized for an issue that originated with Mazepin in the first round of qualifying. Additionally, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez had to start from the pits due to an issue on the formation lap.

Mazepin couldn’t make it through turn three on the first lap.

The 22-year-old Russian, who spun multiple times in both practice and qualifying, crashed on his own just a few seconds into his Formula 1 career.

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If you’ve been following anything Formula 1-related over the last few years, specifically over this past offseason, you’ve probably heard many things about Mazepin, such as why he got here and the things he has done throughout his racing career, both on the track and off the track, to become arguably the sport’s most hated driver ever before getting in a car.

While it’s easier for fans to sound off about the youngster’s behavior, it’s no secret that he has made more than his share of rivals and enemies on the race track as well.

Never was that more evident after he violated the unwritten “gentlemen’s agreement” in qualifying, which ultimately led to his spin and messed up the laps of several drivers who actually had a chance to advance out of the first of three rounds of qualifying.

But it became even more evident after his first-lap crash in the race itself — before he had even completed three turns.

Jack Aitken, who made his Formula 1 debut for Williams on a slightly different layout of Bahrain International Circuit late last season after Lewis Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19 and Mercedes drafted Williams’ George Russell to replace him, has had his share of run-ins with Mazepin over the years, most recently in Formula 2.

Aitken spun out on lap 63 of 87 in last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix around the 11-turn, 2.202-mile (3.544-kilometer) road course in Sakhir, Bahrain. He managed to bounce back and finish on the lead lap in 16th place after starting in 18th.

His spin may have been embarrassing, but he’s feeling a lot better about it now.

How will Mazepin’s second Formula 1 start go? The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is set to be broadcast live on ESPN from Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 18.