Mazepin to use "positive pressure" to overcome challenges in Russia

Nikita Mazepin is hoping to take advantage of "positive pressure" at his first home race in F1 this weekend.

Sochi hosts its penultimate event in F1 with the sport moving to Igora Drive from 2023 onwards.

The Haas rookie will arrive at the Russian Grand Prix knowing points aren't on the cards given the team's struggles this season yet is hoping the added motivation will help battle through the challenging times.

“I think it’s positive pressure," said Mazepin. "There’s this pressure that makes you tense in the car and makes you slower.

"The Sochi pressure for me is just giving me extra motivation and it gives me more endorphins and energy to power through the more difficult moments in the build-up to the race.

"Nevertheless, I’m going there with a clear mind to try and extract everything I can from myself and the car and I’m looking forward to seeing what the atmosphere is going to be like after what everybody has seen the Netherlands and what they showed us.”

F1 journey not a "smooth ride"

Mazepin is bottom of the drivers' standings in his first year having been outpaced by team-mate Mick Schumacher at the majority of the races.

Reflecting on his journey so far, Mazepin explained: “It hasn’t been a smooth ride but the tougher situations in life make you enjoy the easier ones and make you taste the success with a different feeling.

"It hasn’t been easy, Formula 1 is obviously a very complex championship – unlike any other – and the fact we’re at 15 races and we’re not even close to the end yet makes it challenging for everyone in that environment.

"I’ve had a positive progression from my first race and I’m sure that I’m a little bit like wine – I get better with the years I do.

"I think you can see that from any of the categories and classes that I’ve raced, so my competitors will not have an easy time going forwards.”

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