French Grand Prix: Nikita Mazepin Q&A

You scored your best result of the season last time out in Azerbaijan with a P14 finish at the checkered. While it’s acknowledged attrition assisted the final position, is it the ability to capitalize on such opportunities that enables you to keep focused in the race knowing the limitations of the VF-21?

“I think in Formula 1 it’s very important to use the opportunities that do come along whether that’s other cars breaking down or crashing out. For a team it makes a huge difference and impacts the motivation of the team and everyone working. For us as drivers, it’s very important to capitalize on those things and to make sure we deliver if the opportunity comes.”

 

You’ve taken the checkered flag in all but one of your six Formula 1 starts to-date. Just how valuable is race mileage in comparison to practice mileage for your personal development as a rookie. What are the key things you extract from logging race miles?

“The mileage recorded by racing in Formula 1 is very big. With in-season testing banned, my opportunity to test was only a day and a half in pre-season. Therefore, every single lap that you complete – especially on street circuits as they’re not available for testing, it’s very important. Obviously, completing every single race, but the first one, brings opportunity and it’s been very important to me.”

The French Grand Prix marks the start of your first triple-header weekend. What preparations, if any, do you have to make for the physical demands of such an intense burst of racing? 

“I really do like what I do. For me it’s very important to be able to race a lot. I’m one of the few drivers I think that really does enjoy the triple-headers and the 23 races that come this year. It’s a nice thing for me. I’m physically fit enough to be able to sustain more races. I’m waiting for the race weekends as they bring opportunities. Those opportunities also motivate the people around me, and for me that’s also important.”

 

You raced most recently at Circuit Paul Ricard in your rookie Formula 2 season in 2019. What are the characteristics of the circuit that stand out for you?

“Paul Ricard is a very special track. It’s the complete opposite from our last races in Monte Carlo and Baku. It has huge run-offs, therefore it’s a track that’s able to provide you with opportunities to test the limits. I had a good experience there in 2019. Hopefully with our car we’ll be able to achieve more of those things.”