F1 | Mazepin in Haas, Steiner clarifies the paying drivers by remembering Lauda

Next year Haas will find itself with the youngest line-up on the grid, made up of two born in 1999: Niki Mazepin and Mick Schumacher. If the official announcement arrived today for the Russian rider, for the German the white smoke should arrive during this weekend in conjunction with the second round in Sakhir. With the hiring of Mazepin, the issue of paying drivers has returned to the fore, on which the team principal of the American team Gunther Steiner wanted to clarify.

The manager from Alto Alto believes that it is nothing new for a driver to benefit from sponsors who accompany his career and favor his landing in Formula One.

"There are many drivers who enter F1 thanks to financial support – declared Steiner, quoted by Autosport – There are very good drivers in F1 who initially brought a sponsor. Perez arrived in F1 as a paying driver. Checo is now on the podium and is doing a good job. For me George Russell is one of the best drivers, but without the help of Mercedes he would be nowhere. There are many. Lance Stroll also finished on the podium. If they are good at F2 and have a sponsor it's a perfect solution".

Steiner then recalled Lauda's story: “When I spoke to Niki a long time ago he told me: 'I came to F1 thanks to a bank that sponsored me, so I could buy my own seat'. I think he was in BRM at the time. And he is a three-time world champion".

The Haas team principal, analyzing Mazepin's current Formula 2 championship, added: “I followed him all season. He didn't have a difficult start and without that start he would have fought for the championship. The results always speak".