Haas have revealed Nikita Mazepin as their first driver of an all-new line-up for the 2021 Formula One season.
The American team, who currently sit ninth in the constructors’ standings with three points for the season, confirmed in October that neither Romain Grosjean or Kevin Magnussen would be retained for next year.
In the weeks that followed, rumours have swirled over their replacements, and now F2 star Mazepin has been confirmed as the first of their new drivers.
Nikita Mazepin has been announced as Haas’ first driver in their all-new line-up for 2021 season
Mazepin is currently racing in F2 and sits third in the drivers’ championship with one race to go
The 21-year-old Russian, whose billionaire father Dmitry is set to become a major investor in the team, is currently third in the F2 Championship this season, behind Mick Schumacher and Brit Callum Ilott.
Ilott revealed earlier this week that he has missed out on a seat in F1 for next season, while the other Haas seat is likely to be handed to Schumacher, the talented son of seven-time world champion Michael.
Mazepin and Ilott have a long-standing rivalry, with the pair even involved in a physical altercation back in 2016.
Back when they were competing in F3 together, Mazepin was handed a ban after being found guilty of ‘unsporting behaviour in the paddock after the finish of free practice two’.
It was reported that eyewitnesses saw Mazepin get out his car and approach Ilott, furious that the Brit had got in the way of a run on new tyres, and after an exchange of words he hit Ilott.
Mazepin’s billionaire father Dmitry is set to invest heavily in Haas’ Formula One team
Mazepin, left, has previously been a test driver for Force India – now known as Racing Point
At the time, there was some anger at how lenient the penalty was – merely a ban from the rest of the race weekend – despite Ilott suffering cuts to his cheek and neck, and swelling to his jaw.
Haas revealed on Tuesday that Mazepin has signed a ‘multi-year deal’ with the team, making the big step up to a main seat in F1 having previously tested for Force India in 2016, 2017 and 2018, as well as Mercedes in 2019.
Speaking about the deal, Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner said: ‘I’m delighted that Nikita Mazepin will be driving for Haas F1 Team next season. Nikita has underlined his credentials in Formula 2 this year with a brace of victories and a handful of podiums in what’s been a strong sophomore season for him.
‘He’s developed into a mature racer moving up through the junior ranks – notably most recently in the GP3 Series, where he finished runner-up in 2018, and obviously in Formula 2 over the past two seasons.
Callum Ilott revealed earlier this week that he has missed out on an F1 seat for the 2021 season
Ilott (pictured) has a long-standing rivalry with Mazepin after the Russian hit him back in 2016
‘I’m excited to see what Nikita can achieve in Formula 1 and we look forward to giving him the opportunity to compete at the highest level of world motorsport.’
Mazepin, who becomes the fourth Russian to race in F1 after Vitaly Petrov, Sergey Sirotkin and Daniil Kvyat, has two victories and four other podiums in the 2020 F2 season with one race to go.
‘Becoming a Formula 1 driver is a lifelong dream come true for me,’ said Mazepin. ‘I really appreciate the trust being put in me by Gene Haas, Guenther Steiner, and the whole of the team. They’re giving a young driver an opportunity and I thank them for that.
Current Haas driver Grosjean will not race this weekend after his horror smash in Bahrain
He escaped with minor burns after his car split in half, and Pietro Fittipaldi will step in for him
‘I’m looking forward to starting our relationship together, both on and off the track, and I’m naturally keen to continue to demonstrate my abilities after a strong Formula 2 season.
‘The team will be looking to me for feedback and inputs in order to refine its package for 2021 and beyond. I will take that responsibility on and can’t wait to get started.’
Haas have also revealed that reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi will replace Grosjean at this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix following his fireball smash at the Bahrain race on Sunday.
Grosjean’s helmet visor melted as he sat in the wreckage of his car, which broke in half and burst into flames following the 140mph crash, but miraculously the Frenchman limped away with only minor burns.