Nikita Mazepin feels that he grew in confidence throughout 2021 after admitting that elements of his first F1 race were "very scary". The Russian will go into his second season with Haas in 2022 following his rookie year, and thinks he is ready to make a step up if the team find themselves fighting further up the field. In general, Mazepin believes he is in a good place, especially compared to how he felt when he first lined up on the grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix last March. "I had a few good battles this year with some faster cars, and felt comfortable," Mazepin told media including RacingNews365.com . "For me [when I'm] mainly fighting [against] people, I need to know exactly where my rear wing ends, and where the front wing ends, so I know exactly how to position my car next to them. "I feel like I have that confidence. I remember it was very scary in the first race in Bahrain, because the car's very long and wide. But now I'm in a good place."
Mazepin looking forward to driving the 2022 F1 cars
With a wave of new regulations being introduced into Formula 1 for 2022, the cars will look and feel a little different. Mazepin is hoping that the experience of driving Haas' new challenger will be a good one. "Driving a more balanced car, a more predictable car, should make it easier and more enjoyable," he explained. "Because ultimately, for me, when I turn up to the racetrack, it's about going through that purpose of myself, and going through racing, and actually feeling like you can influence the result. "But at the moment, even if it is a good weekend, finishing in front of my teammate, [in] P19, it's a bit difficult to go home satisfied." Mazepin finished his first F1 season at the bottom of the World Championship and placed behind teammate Mick Schumacher, though neither driver scored any points.
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