Nikita Mazepin, the former F1 driver, issues an apology for 'inappropriate actions' following a contentious social media video
On Wednesday, Mazepin took to Twitter, admitting, "I wish to apologize for my recent actions, both regarding my inappropriate behavior and for the sharing of the video on social media."
The now-deleted video, initially posted on Mazepin's Instagram Story on Tuesday, has sparked a large online response. Although Mazepin's face is not clearly discernible in the clip, an unidentified hand is captured groping a woman's breast in the back seat. The woman in the video pushes his hand away and flips him off.
The Haas F1 Team, with whom Mazepin was set to team up for the upcoming season, issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing disapproval of his actions and the release of the video on social media. "We do not support Nikita Mazepin's behavior displayed in the recently circulated video on social media," the statement read. The team pledged to address the matter internally and refrained from providing further comments.
Mazepin's ties with Haas ended in 2022, following widespread critiques and international sanctions against him due to relevant controversies. Despite his past indiscretions, Mazepin expressed his intention to learn from his mistakes and expressed remorse. "I offer my sincere apologies for any discomfort I may have caused and the embarrassment I have brought upon the Haas F1 Team," he stated. "As an F1 driver, I am obligated to uphold higher standards, and I am reminded that I have let myself and many others down. I am committed to learning from this experience and growing as a person."
The ongoing controversy surrounding Mazepin has not deterred Stefano Domenicali, the head of Formula 1, from expressing pride in working with Bahrain amidst widespread human rights concerns.
Exploring New Territories:
Mazepin has announced his intentions to enter the world of "hybrid athletes," aiming to participate in various sports, such as boxing. Plans for competing in five different sports this year, starting with a boxing match in the fall of 2025, have been reported in the media[1].
Mazepin's journey post-F1 includes involvement in other racing series, like the Asian Le Mans Series. His departure from Formula 1 was initiated by the team's decision to part ways with him due to international sanctions brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine[1].
References:
- BBC News
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