The Haas team continues to receive abuse on Twitter with every mention of Nikita Mazepin ahead of the 2021 season.
The American licensed Formula One team announced Mazepin as the second seat filler for the impending season on November 30, 2021.
The Russian driver, who previously impressed while racing in Formula 2, will line up on the grid with new teammate Mick Schumacher, who will also be making his Formula One debut this season.
Mazepin caught fire for posting a video on social media a number of months ago, which was deemed as ‘sexual abuse’ and ‘inappropriate’ by many spectators of motor racing and beyond.
After a public apology both from Mazepin, and the Haas team, fans still weren’t delighted about the newest addition to the grid, and as the team continues to promote both drivers in the run-up to the new season, those against the 21-year-old have ensured to voice their opinions on each post.
The team recently posted a video on Twitter of Mazepin, with the caption:
New circuit? No problem for Nikita! 🇷🇺
Mazepin mastered Mugello to get his second win of the season 💪#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/gk8UQIcP8i
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 2, 2021
One user wrote below the post, “Mazepin also mastered white privilege by sexually assaulting a young woman and having no repercussions. But we won’t mention that will we.”
https://twitter.com/charlotte_geer/status/1356548729029935104
With another tweeting; If only he mastered respecting women
https://twitter.com/TheOfficialFNG/status/1356568117028270080
Besides his apology, issued back on December 9, the 21-year-old has not spoken out about the incident, nor has he been interviewed about his entry into F1 this season.
The Haas driver wrote: “I would like to apologize for my recent actions, both in terms of my own inappropriate behavior and the fact that it was posted onto social media.”
Days after posting the apology, Mazepin deleted the tweet, inciting even more scrutiny from those who believe justice has not been served.
Fans eagerly await to hear from the driver in the run-up to the first race in Bahrain in March.