BREAKING NEWS: HAAS CONFIRMS MAZEPIN

He is expected to be joined at the team by F2 championship leader Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael.

Mazepin and Schumacher have been strongly tipped to take the Haas drives since the team announced in October that it would be releasing both its current drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.

Haas has confirmed that Nikita Mazepin will race for the team in Formula 1 after signing him to a multi-year deal.

Mazepin currently holds third in this year’s Formula 2 championship and remains an outside candidate for the title ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain finale.

The Russian youngster has previously tested Formula 1 machinery with Mercedes and Force India.

He is expected to be joined at Haas by current Ferrari-backed Formula 2 title leader Mick Schumacher.

“Becoming a Formula 1 driver is a lifelong dream come true for me,” commented Mazepin.

“I really appreciate the trust being put in me by [team owner] Gene Haas, [team boss] Guenther Steiner, and the whole of the team.

“They’re giving a young driver an opportunity and I thank them for that. I’m looking forward to starting our relationship together, both on and off the track, and I’m naturally keen to continue to demonstrate my abilities after a strong Formula 2 season.

“The team will be looking to me for feedback and inputs in order to refine its package for 2021 and beyond. I will take that responsibility on and can’t wait to get started.”

Steiner added that Mazepin has proved himself worth of a Formula 1 seat.

“Nikita has underlined his credentials in Formula 2 this year with a brace of victories and a handful of podiums in what’s been a strong sophomore season for him,” said Steiner.

“He’s developed into a mature racer moving up through the junior ranks – notably most recently in the GP3 Series, where he finished runner-up in 2018, and obviously in Formula 2 over the past two seasons.

“I’m excited to see what Nikita can achieve in Formula 1 and we look forward to giving him the opportunity to compete at the highest level of world motorsport.”

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