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Nikita Mazepin, the F1 driver, apologizes for 'inappropriate actions' after a controversial video on social media
Mazepin took to Twitter on Wednesday, saying, "I want to apologize for my recent actions, both for my inappropriate behavior and for posting the video on social media."
The video, which has now been deleted, was originally shared on Mazepin's Instagram Story on Tuesday and is making waves on social media now. While Mazepin's face is not clearly visible in the clip, an unknown hand is captured gripping a lady's breast in the back seat. The woman in the video pushes his hand away and extends her middle finger towards the camera.
The Haas F1 Team, which Mazepin is set to join for the upcoming season, issued a statement on Wednesday, disapproving of his actions in the video and its subsequent release. "We do not condone Nikita Mazepin's behavior in the recently published video on social media," the statement read. The team added that they are handling the matter internally and are refraining from making any further comments.
Last week, it was revealed that the 21-year-old Russian driver would be joining the Haas F1 Team for the upcoming season. Despite the controversies that have followed him in the past, Mazepin claimed he would learn from his mistakes. "I apologize for any offense I may have caused and for the embarrassment I have brought to the Haas F1 Team," he wrote in a statement. "As an F1 driver, I need to uphold higher standards, and I acknowledge that I have let myself and many others down. I vow to learn from this experience."
Despite the ongoing controversy, Stefano Domenicali, the boss of Formula 1, remains proud of working with Bahrain, despite widespread human rights critiques.
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Background:
Mazepin's past actions have raised eyebrows, including a 2021 scandal in which a leaked video showed him making inappropriate gestures towards a female journalist during a race weekend. This led to widespread criticism and sanctions from the FIA and various teams, ultimately resulting in Mazepin being dropped by the Haas F1 Team due to the backlash from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and associated UK sanctions against him.[1]
Although there has been no explicit mention of a specific social media incident, any future statements or actions from Mazepin will likely need to address and atone for these past controversies if he hopes for a successful return to F1.
- BBC News,
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