Steiner disagrees with fierce criticism: 'Being made worse than he is'

Nikita Mazepin is under heavy fire in Formula 1, with a group of fans wanting him out of the sport. According to team boss Günther Steiner his driver has been made worse than he really is.

Mazepin's arrival for the 2021 Formula 1 season was already not met with great acclaim following his previous controversies on and off the track in the entry-level classes. However, following his announcement, a video emerged of him groping a woman, and resistance only intensified, resulting in the #WeSayNoToMazepin.

Steiner doesn't want to justify everything his new driver has done, but states in a video of Formel1.de also that he has been 'made worse than he really is'. ''Mick is the perfect son-in-law: He's kind and works hard. Nikita is a bit more emotional. A bit more attacking and direct than Mick'', says the Haas team boss.

Steiner therefore sees these drivers as a good duo precisely because they are so opposite. However, Steiner also acknowledged that the two are not the best of friends. ''They already know each other quite well. I don't think they are the best of friends, but you don't have to be friends as long as you respect each other. That's a good starting point'', Steiner concludes.