We did not imagine it so funny.
Him, the pilot who is a priori so cold and so proud of his Russian origins.
Ousted from Haas last March because of his nationality and the conflict with Ukraine, Nikita Mazepin, replaced at short notice by Kevin Magnussen, had very quickly expressed his dissatisfaction, going so far as to launch a foundation to support Russian athletes. deprived of competition.
Since then, we had not heard from him.
Guest
in Abu Dhabi last weekend for the last Grand Prix of the season which again saw Max Verstappen win, the 23-year-old Muscovite delivered his sense of derision via a post on his Instagram account.
Sparing no one, he talks about his experience and gives the procedure in five steps to wean himself off competition, intended for the four pilots (Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel, Mick Schumacher and Nicholas Latifi) who have just left the set.
And it's funny.
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Here is his plan:
Stage 1, denial
: “You will find yourself going around in circles around your building.
Don't make the mistake I made - start your stopwatch.
It is quite possible that another F1 team will be interested in your results and you will not have to endure the following 4 steps.
»
Step 2, anger
: “You blame everyone, except yourself, for having had to leave F1.
Especially the 'Drive to Survive' film crew.
You watch the races obsessively and scream at the screen.
»
Step 3, Negotiations
: "You hold a press conference where you put on a brave face and thank the manager of the team that fired you in the hope that your cheerful smile and natural charm will allow you to get a place on a new team.
»
Stage 4, Depression
: “Drinking, partying on a yacht, sleeping, gaining 10 pounds.
Repeat endlessly.
It won't be an easy step to pass, but your friends will appreciate it.
»
Step 5, acceptance
: “Congratulations.
You have reached the last Grand Prix where you are shown the exit.
You stop obsessing over F1 and start thinking about your next steps…while keeping fit and keeping the door open for a comeback!
»
Mazepin ends his post with "Peace and love to all"
,
without forgetting to each of the starters a personal message starting with the one who has definitely hung up the wheel, crowned with four world champion titles: "Vettel, total respect for your initiatives in favor of the climate.
I'm sure they will be of great use, and not just for the piloting community.
» The special dedication to Daniel Ricciardo is much more comical: « I know that you will always keep your sense of humor.
I predict great things for you in stage 4, where you can drink all kinds of things in your shoes.
Be creative!
»