Steiner: the rivalry between Mazepin and Schumacher is not personal
Günther Steiner, the team principal of Haas, believes that the rivalry between Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher is not personal. However, he admits that the tensions are affecting the team's performance.
As the battle rages for the world championship title between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, another less thrilling duel opposes two drivers at the bottom of the standings. It’s a fact. Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher do not get along. They are trying to score points this season, but in vain. The hostility even goes beyond the track.
Nothing is going well at Haas. While the car is already difficult to drive, the rivalry between the two teammates is affecting the team’s performance. The atmosphere became even more tense at the Zandvoort circuit. Schumacher accused Mazepin of making dangerous and late defensive moves. After the race, the Russian then stated that there was no problem with his teammate. Günther Steiner, the boss of the Haas team, organized a meeting after the Grand Prix to improve the situation. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday before the start of the weekend in Monza.
« We had a meeting on Sunday, we will have another one today [Thursday]. We will work on it and solve this problem, as we have done with many other things. I just want to make sure that the two guys understand how they should run, and that they can learn to avoid situations that don’t help anyone.
Currently last with zero points, the American team did not expect to shine this season. The car has not received any upgrades compared to 2020, but the new recruits can still gain experience behind the wheel of an F1 single-seater. However, if the behavior of its two drivers off the track is not a problem for Steiner, on the circuit, it’s different.
« I don’t care about what they do in their private life, whether they are friends or not. But on the track, they must perform for the team. We just need to find an agreement when they are both in the same area. That’s what we are working on. They are young, and they must understand that. »
Nothing personal between them
Tension is nothing personal according to Steiner. Since the team cannot compete with others in terms of on-track performance, the two teammates are facing off against each other. At this rate, it could end badly.
« I don’t think it’s personal, it’s just the circumstances. As I keep saying, we’re not fighting with anyone else, except between the two drivers themselves. Therefore, this fight is exaggerated. […] They have no one else to fight against, so that’s what they focus on.
