Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has allayed fears from Nikita Mazepin that too many key members of staff at the team are leaving.
Dmitry Mazepin, Nikita’s father, is reported to have suggested a bonus loyalty incentive scheme as the poor performance of the car coupled with a massive 23-race calendar next season has deterred mechanics and other workers from continuing with Haas.
The 22-year-old Russian said he voiced concerns over staff leaving to his father.
“I have told him [my father] that I’m very concerned about people leaving, good people leaving,” said Mazepin.
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He added that his dad knows how to look after employees, and hopes that he can convince team members to remain at the American racing outfit.
“I know that different people had different thoughts in their head, but quite some of them were financially concerned. And I’m very fortunate and lucky that he has heard it.
“He’s got an amazing track record of giving what he needs to his employees, which numbers over 45,000 in his companies, and he is a professional in it, not me.”
Steiner, however, has cooled rumours of an exodus, saying that the situation at Haas has been “exaggerated”.
“What was said was a bit exaggerated. You have a bit of fluctuation every year, all teams have that and we have the same problem,” he said.
Steiner recognises the concerns being voiced by Mazepin, but maintains that there is nothing to worry about:
“This year it’s a bit more, I think it’s also due to the situation that we have a lot of races and this year was quite hard for the guys. I don’t look closely at his [Nikita’s] statements, I take them as they are and then add my knowledge.”
The 56-year-old said he knows the causes for people wanting to leave, but insists that their situation is no different to that of the other nine teams on the Formula 1 grid.
“I can explain it because, as I said, I always have figures ready. Some people are leaving and I know why, I also talk to the other team bosses, they also have more people leaving.
“Maybe not all of them, I haven’t spoken to all of them, but there are several who confirm that.”
The Haas team boss, who has been in charge since the team’s inception in 2016, says that people leaving is an ordinary situation.
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“It’s understandable why. But as I said, it’s not more than ten percent above normal, so it’s not this mass exodus. I don’t know exactly what Nikita said about that.”
Steiner was jovial when asked if Mazepin was a drama queen for his comments: “That’s a new expression for me now! I have to think about it.
“I wouldn’t actually say that, at least internally he’s not. I don’t read everything and don’t watch everything that is written about him and don’t always see his statements.”
Mazepin finished 20th in the championship in 2021, with the team finishing last in the Constructors’ Standings.
The Russian managed a best result of 14th at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with team-mate Mick Schumacher finishing 13th in the same race.
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