Dan Messersmith, Callie Urbanic, Caroline Ramey, and Austin Caudill

Twitter Project
ENG 230
4 February 2021

#WeSayNoToMazepin
Background Info about the sport and the cause.

Formula 1 is the fastest racing sport in the world. Races are held at events across the globe, from Austin, TX
to Hong Kong, China. It consists of 10 teams and 20 drivers - a very limited number and a coveted position for
many.
HAAS, the only American-based team in the sport, has signed two new drivers for the 2021 season.

HAAS’s two drivers for 2021.

 Results and Notes:
Mick Schumacher Nikita Mazepin

- F2, F3 Champion (2020 and 2019) - 0 championships

- 26 wins across his career - 8 wins across his career
- Said to be the future version of - Known to be dangerous and
his father regarding race results aggressive on track (link to video)

See the difference?

And then THIS happened...

Haas F1 labelled the actions of their driver Nikita Mazepin “abhorrent” after the 2021 Formula One star posted a video
of himself groping a woman on his Instagram stories.

Statement from HAAS F1 Team

Shortly after this tweet, the hashtag started to grow in popularity along with a change.org petition that nearly 50,000
have signed.
Here are some replies to HAAS F1’s Tweet:
Check the light-colored text here.
 Endless content and discussion is available when you search the hashtag:

Here is some content that has been generated by using the hashtag. This account was made to only show
Mick Schumacher, the other driver signed up for Haas this year. You can clearly see the hashtag in the bio.
 Here are some tweets made with the hashtag. These mention how the hashtag keeps trending every time
Haas makes a tweet that mentions Nikita Mazepin. Another tweet here is made from a reporter who works for
the Formula One company.
 Here are a couple more really important tweets: The tweet with the screenshots show the girl who was
assaulted in the video responding to some Instagram questions: she says that if she were to give advice to her
younger self, she would say “don’t let anyone touch you or disrespect you again”. These tweets were made by
Matt Gallagher, another Formula One reporter for the esports division.
 Something else that is key to this story:

The global initiative that F1™ launched in 2020 to “fight inequality” during the protests for the killing of George Floyd.
This was shown on all of the competing cars along with the words “End Racism”.

The fan-made version to repurpose the initiative and to show their hatred and disapproval for Nikita Mazepin. This has
been one of the most popular responses regarding the Russian driver, along with people sharing reaction photos,
memes, and discussion of why they think he shouldn’t be in the sport.
 And this, too

This is in response to Matt Gallagher, the esports announcer, because of how vocal he has been during this time.

#WeSayNoToMazepin
The hashtag we focused on is a rallying cry to hold Mazepin accountable

for his actions and block him from participating with the Haas F1 team.

Twitter quickly spread the word about Nikita’s sexual misconduct. There is

growing support for Mazepin’s removal, including the circulation of a

petition that is well on its way to boasting 50,000 signatures.

Viewers, drivers, activists and victims have all been vocal and used the

hashtag #WeSayNoToMazepin. Haas F1 is still posting promotional videos

that praise Mazepin’s skills.

People tweet rants and short comments when using the

WeSayNoToMazepin hashtag. People are taking a stand and expressing

their hopes for change.

This trend has attracted the attention of the F1 online community and all

those who are against the driver’s participation. Haas commented on the
Dec. 9 that they do not condone his behavior and that it was dealt with

internally.