Haas have condemned a video made by new Formula 1 recruit Nikita Mazepin, branding the Russian’s actions “abhorrent” to the team.
The video, which Mazepin shared in a now-deleted Instagram story, showed the 21-year-old Russian touching a woman in a car.
In response, Haas issued a statement promising the matter would be dealt with internally.
“Haas F1 Team does not condone the behaviour of Nikita Mazepin in the video recently posted on his social media,” the statement read. “Additionally, the very fact that the video was posted on social media is also abhorrent to Haas F1 Team. The matter is being dealt with internally.”
Immediately after Haas’ statement, Mazepin issued one of his own, wherein he apologised for “the offence I have rightly caused”.
“I would like to apologise for my recent actions in terms of my own inappropriate behaviour and the fact that it was posted onto social media,” he wrote. “I am sorry for the offence I have rightly caused and to the embarrassment I have brought to Haas F1 Team.
“I have to hold myself to a higher standard as a Formula 1 driver and I acknowledge I have let myself and many people down. I promise I will learn from this.”