The Haas Formula One team said on Wednesday that new signing Nikita Mazepin will race pick up after they internally handled an accidents where the Russian posted after which deleted a relevant video clip showing him groping a female passenger in a car.
Earlier this month, the U.S.-based team condemned Mazepin for ‘abhorrent behavior’ and said the problem was being handled internally.
“Haas F1 Team want to reaffirm that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will form its driver lineup for that 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship,” Haas said in a statement on Wednesday.
“According to the team’s previous statement concerning the actions of Nikita Mazepin (Dec. 9) – this matter has been dealt with internally with no further comment will be made.”
Mazepin, son of a billionaire who made his fortune in fertilizer, had apologized on Twitter for his “inappropriate behaviour” cheap the recording was posted.
The 21-year-old finished the F2 season in fifth place, enough to gain an F1 superlicense. He also separated itself for accruing 11 penalty points in the season, one short of triggering a race ban.
Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge
