Mazepin: Rules of engagement with Schumacher haven’t changed

Haas’ Nikita Mazepin says his on-track rules of engagement with team-mate Mick Schumacher haven’t changed following their coming together at the Dutch Grand Prix.

In the early stages of the race, Schumacher damaged his front wing when he moved out to overtake Mazepin, while the latter also shifted over to defend the inside line.

Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner said after the race that he didn’t find any driver to blame for the incident, stating it takes “two to tango”.

A series of meetings have taken place within the Haas organisation since the incident, with Steiner affirming that he wants to ensure that both drivers “get a good understanding how they should race and that they can learn to avoid the situations that don’t help anybody”.

Speaking ahead of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Mazepin asserts both he and Schumacher remain free to race each other.

“They [the rules of engagement] have not [changed] because we’ve deemed that I haven’t broken any rules or violations within the FIA sporting and racing regulations,” Mazepin said.

“We are going to work as a team to try and fix that but perhaps sometimes you need to lift when you see that there’s a bollard in front of you instead of damaging your car so we will see. 

“We are here as racing drivers and I think it’s incorrect when drivers put them above the stewards and driver advisors and say what they should have done because it’s not their position. 

“At the same time, I respect the rules a lot and what the rules say in the book is that unless there’s a significant portion of the car behind is side-by-side to you, you are not entitled to leave a car’s width and you’re entitled to make a move from the left to the right because you’re still in front and you can make your position safely. 

“That’s been the case for many, many years and I respect so and I am going to keep doing so.”