Emilia Romagna GP: Mazepin Justifies Q1 Tussle With Giovinazzi in F1 Qualifying

Antonio Giovinazzi and Nikita Mazepin may not be in each other’s good books at the moment. During the first qualifying session on Saturday, Mazepin came in the way of Giovinazzi as he was trying to set a lap, which annoyed the Italian driver. However, Mazepin said he is just concerned about his lap times and nothing else.

It wasn’t an easy weekend for the Haas driver, as he had a difficult time around the Italian circuit. The Russian driver didn’t make it out of Q1 and will start the race from 19th place.

Mazepin feels the car is too hard to control but is hoping to have a better result than his first race at Bahrain. The rookie drivers hope to make amends on Sunday’s race.

Nikita Mazepin is well aware of the Gentleman’s code

As quoted by Autosport, Mazepin stated, “In F1 it is a bit difficult as there’s 20 cars, obviously in segment one, which is where we are. Everyone is going out at the same time and the track is just not big enough for all of us.”

“We had this chat about the gentlemen’s agreement and obviously I didn’t have a problem with that. But when there is three seconds on the clock, it is either you go or you have to box, and you’re going across the start/finish first.”

“So I don’t think there’s an issue with it. I’m here to do my laps and, you know, we are all in the same world.”

Giovinazzi didn’t appreciate what Mazepin did in Q1

While the Alfa Romeo driver was pushing the limits of the car, trying to make it out of Q2, he was interpreted by Haas‘s rookie driver. It sabotaged the Italian’s lap time to which he didn’t like.

As reported by Autosport, Giovinazzi said, “It’s quite clear. We respect each other on this, starting the lap, and he didn’t respect this. This is really not correct for a qualifying lap. I didn’t make my last lap.”

Now the Italian driver will start from 17th place while Mazepin will start the second race of his Formula One career in 19th place. Both of them will do their best trying to gain places on Sunday’s race.

Do you think Antonio will redeem himself and right the wrongs of Saturday’s qualifying session? We are just hours away from the second round of the championship. Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Emilia Romagna GP: Mazepin Annoyed by Mick Schumacher’s F1 Lap Times at Imola

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