Mazepin: ‘My life won’t really start until after Formula 1’

Studying for a master’s degree, Nikita Mazepin is confident that one day, when he is done with F1, he will “head a great company”.

Although Mazepin has a full-time job as a Formula 1 driver withthe Haas team, the 22-year-oldalso has to find time for his military commitmentsas well as his studies.

He recently received his bachelor’s degree and is now moving onto his master’s.

Why? Because he believes his life will only “really start” after his hangs up his helmet.

“Despite the motorsport, my father never let me not finish school,” he told《图片报》.

“I am currently the only driver who is still studying on the side.

“I finished my bachelor’s degree during the week. Now I’m going to start my master’s.

“My life will only really start after Formula 1. I’m confident that one day you will see me head a great company.”

Whether that company is his father Dmitry Mazepin’s Uralchem mineral fertiliser company, only time will tell.

Formula 1 is not keeping Nikita Mazepin away from his military service.

In fact, in the summer he is off to the barracks for a one-month training camp.https://t.co/3gkoli9kla#F1pic.twitter.com/JCvvN7Ttn6

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1)October 2, 2021

Check out the Haas collection via the official Formula 1 store

For now though, it is full steam ahead with Formula 1, Mazepin having been confirmed by Haas for 2022 when he will again partnerMick Schumacher.

The duo have had a tense relationship, clashing on the track and exchanging words off it.

Asked to describe his relationship with Schumacher in one word, Mazepin said: “I would say ‘expected’.”

He added: “We are team-mates who both want to be the leader in the team. He won’t accept he’s No 2 and neither will I.

“I want to beat him on the track just like any other driver. This is how we push each other to perform better.”

Asked if the two could ever be friends, Mazepin admitted that was perhaps a step too far.

“Friends may be a bit much, but we respect each other,” he said.

“For me, there are two Micks. Off the track, I like him and his way a lot. We are the same age, we are ambitious and talented. If he should ever need help, I would always try to support him.

“Mick deserves 110 per cent his place in Formula 1. As far as I know, there was no other option for him. The same is true for me.

“我们都是快速的。我想要和他决斗。We motivate each other. I know I have to train to keep up with him because he does it every day. Nobody can relax, otherwise they would be left behind.”