While Nikita Mazepin did not have a very affectionate standing among the fans even before he came to F1, his image among his fellow drivers is also seemingly up in smoke.

At just his 4th professional Grand Prix, he has impeded as many as 5 different drivers. During the first free practice session of the Spanish GP, he incurred the wrath of Charles Leclerc.

The Monegasque was on a flying lap around Barcelona on Friday when he approached the slow-moving Haas of Mazepin. The Russian’s race engineer asked him to watch out for the faster Ferrari car. But despite his repeated warnings, Mazepin did not get out of Leclerc’s way at the right time.

The two came close to colliding on the exit of the turn. A frustrated Leclerc then came over his radio and sarcastically said to his engineer, “Mazepin will never change.”

Nikita Mazepin had a torrid time during practice

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a track that Mazepin is very familiar with, having raced here a few times in the junior categories. Therefore, he is expected to have a better turnout here compared to his previous outings at Portimao or Imola.

Guenther Steiner Defends F1’s ‘Bad Boy’ Portrayal of Nikita Mazepin

But, just two laps into the first practice session, he spun into the gravel trap, going into the entry of the turn, he lost the rear of his car.

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Fortunately for him, he was able to keep the engine running and reverse his way back onto the track with the help of his race engineer.

However, he wasn’t a happy man as he came over the team radio to moan about the undrivable state of his car. He complained,

“The balance is really oversteery. The tires were gone off, man. I mean, it’s really frustrating driving this car because it snaps on you when you really don’t expect it.

“I have very little clearance of turning in this seat, I don’t know what changes from last night (have been done).”

You have to make the best out of the cards that you have been dealt. He finished the session rock bottom, a huge 1.2 seconds behind his teammate, Mick Schumacher.

It’s his rookie season, so he needs to keep his head down and try to get to grips with the modern F1 car. Else he will keep facing the mockery and disdain of the F1 community.