Mazepin sheds light on video of nightclub dispute in Mexico

©Haas

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Nikita Mazepin has shed light on a video that went viral earlier this week on social media in which the Haas driver appeared to confront a bouncer in a night club in Mexico City.

After last Sunday's race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mazepin enjoyed a night out on the town with several members of his team.

In a video that popped up in the following days, the Russian was filmed from afar having what looked like a heated discussion with members of a nightclub's security staff.

There was no escalation in the scene and Mazepin - who is somewhat on probation with social media following his well-chronicled improper conduct from last year that was publicized on Instagram - explained on Thursday in Sao Paulo exactly what had gone down.

©Haas

"I think the situation from my side was really clear," Mazepin said. "Definitely nobody was kicked out. I was upset because one of my engineers was leaving [the team].

"I invited everybody from the team to see me and one of the members wasn't let in, unfortunately.

"So, yeah, I cleared that up. It took about three or four minutes. And everybody was in, and actually it was a very good party. We stayed for quite a few hours."

Read also: Haas wants to keep Fittipaldi 'in the family' in 2022

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner said on Thursday that he hadn't spoken to his driver about the overblown incident but was briefed on the situation.

"This was more like a verbal argument about something," Steiner said.

"I haven't spoken with him yet because I haven't seen him. But I think it was more like he couldn't get access somewhere and just tried to make his point."

Steiner admitted that drivers are now forced to be on their best behaviour when in public, as their every move is filmed for posterity.

"Everything what is done, whoever does it, is immediately filmed from somebody," added the Italian.

"And then Nikita, I think he has got a reputation, and it's even [more] played up I would say. So it isn't made any easier for him."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.