Nikita Mazepins F1 Career could be over before its even started.

The Russian drivers career in F1 under threat after evidence of sexual assault revealed on social media this week.

Caption - Mazepin pictured after signing for Haas F1 team for season 2021

Haas, the American based Formula One team, have publicly announced that they do not condone the behaviour of their young driver after an "abhorrent" video was posted to his personnel Instagram account.

The 21-year-old , who will make his F1 debut for Haas next season, was videoed sexually assaulting a woman in his car before posting the video to his social media account. A video that was later deleted.

Haas F1 responded quickly to the public outrage at their young driver:

"Haas F1 Team does not condone the behaviour of Nikita Mazepin in the video recently posted on his social media. 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 and no further comment shall be made at this time."

Mazepin also posted a separate apology to his personnel social media account:

He stated: "I would like to apologise for my recent actions , both in terms of my own inappropriate behaviour , and the fact it was posted on to social media. 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 One driver and I acknowledge I have let myself and many people down. I promise I will learn from this.”

This apology has since been deleted from all his social media accounts.

Formula One fans around the globe have vented their anger on social media at the actions of Mazepin and Haas F1 team for not replacing Mazepin for next season. Hashtag WeSayNoToMazepin has trended on Social Media since the video surfaced and a petition for Mazepin to be replaced has had over 40,000 signatures since its launch.

This is not the first serious incident Nikita Mazepin has been involved in throughout his racing career. In 2016, he punched British F2 rival Callum Ilott, a driver who fans believe was more deserving of an F1 seat. This attack left Ilott with a black eye and swollen jaw. Mazepin was given a single race ban for the incident.

Mazepin's father, billionaire businessman Dmitry Mazepin, is heavily funding Haas F1 team for season 2021. This has left fans to speculate as to how he obtained his seat, through talent or money.

Nikita Mazepin has only been announced as an F1 driver for a few weeks, but his career may be over before the first race weekend.

Haas F1 have currently not updated the status of their driver who is set to partner, son of seven-time F1 Champion Michael and Formula Two champion Mick Schumacher.