Haas fielded two rookie drivers during 2021, which makes assessing their performances tricky, particularly considering how uncompetitive their car was.
Nikita MazepinBeat team mate in qualifying0/20Beat team mate in race3/14Races finished16/22Laps spent ahead of team mate325/914Qualifying margin+0.61sPoints0
Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher each had only one-and-a-half days’ running in their new cars before the season began. The VF-21 was barely developed from its 2020 predecessor, aside from tweaks to ensure it met the altered technical regulations.
The team’s sink to the foot of the standings was therefore not unexpected. Its two inexperienced drivers knew what to expect: A year of learning and being ready to take advantage of any opportunities which might fall their way. In short, it wouldn’t be fair to look at the fact neither scored any points and conclude that both failed.
However, nor would it be fair to say Mazepin’s zero-point campaign showed he performed at the same…