7 years later, they will meet again at Haas
Announced for 2021 at Haas, Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will find themselves as teammates. They indeed shared the same karting team in 2014, each with a vice-champion title. A look back at their journey.
Nikita Mazepin
The Russian was born on March 2, 1999, in Moscow. Son of billionaire Dimitry Mazepin, whose fortune is estimated at over 1.8 billion euros, young Nikita, like his future opponent Lance Stroll, has one of the largest private budgets.
Helped by funds from his father, he still had to obtain his super license in order to hope to enter F1.
Looking back on his journey:
2012 – 2013: Some performances in the KF-Junior category. This category, dedicated to young drivers aged 13 to 15, already features rubber tires and 125cc 2-stroke engines. The level of driving skills is relatively high in this international championship.
2014: Vice-world champion in KF. This was the category at the highest level of world karting, open to the best drivers aged 15 and over. He is part of the Tony Kart team, just like the young “Mick Junior,” whose real name is Schumacher.
2016: The Russian becomes a development driver for Force India.
He participates in the F3 championship with Hitech GP and finishes 20th in the championship.
2017: F3 Championship still with Hitech GP. 3 podiums.
2018: GP3 with the ART Grand Prix team. 5 wins and runner-up behind Anthoine Hubert.
2019: GP2 still with ART Grand Prix. Difficult year alongside Nick DeVries, who was crowned champion at the end of the season. The Russian only garnered 11 points for a modest 18th place in the championship.
2020: Return to Hitech GP, still in the F1 feeder series. He secured 2 wins, 5 podiums, and a 6th place in the championship.
Mick Schumacher
Born in Vufflens-le-Château, Switzerland, on March 22, 1999, he is the son of Michael Schumacher, seven-time F1 world champion… Aware of the impact of his name in motorsport, his parents chose to let him start karting under a false identity. As a result, he raced in karting from 2008 under the identity of Betsch, his mother’s maiden name.
Looking back on his journey:
**2008 – 2013:** Beginnings of career in karting under the name Mick Betsch.
2014: KF-Junior vice world champion under the name Mick Junior with the Tony Kart team, alongside Nikita Mazepin.
2016: Still with Prema, 5 wins, 4 poles, and 12 podiums. He competes in the Italian F4 championship with 5 wins and finishes 2nd in the overall final standings.
2017: MRF Challenge (a promotional formula taking place in Asia, the Middle East, and notably India. This championship competes with the New Zealand championship Toyota Racing Series and the Asian Formula 3 championship). 4 victories, 2 poles, and 3rd place in the championship.
Participation in the F3 championship with Prema. 1 podium and 12th overall.
2018: F3 still with Prema. 8 victories, 7 poles, and 14 podiums out of 30 races. He clinches the title and moves up to F2.
**2019:** Integration into the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy.
12th in the F2 championship with one victory
2020: 2 wins and 10 podiums in a championship shortened by Covid. He wins the championship.
