[Driver] Brendon Hartley in F1

[Aysedasi]

I'd certainly give Hartley a go instead of Kvyat who has largely flattered to deceive in his F1 career (IMO).

[Moneyseeker]

You have to feel for Gasly, missed Austin to do SF in Japan to try and secure the title - only half a point behind the leader. Race is cancelled due to typhoon warning, and as it's the finale so he loses the championship by half a point and misses the US GP!

[S griffin]

Kyvat has shown talent before, he didn't look too bad with RBR in 2015, but since being demoted, he's looked lost. I think they could do a lot worse than taking a full season's punt on Hartley

[Number4]

Not a bad effort for a North Islander.

[Armco Bender]

Solid performance,kept up with Stroll the whole race.

[Aysedasi]

A thoroughly decent job. Well done.

[Adam43]

He did a good job, but it was a little middle of the road.

I hope he gets another go and now he's got some mileage in the car and won't have the penalties he can have a proper go.

[Armco Bender]

A one race deal is a bit of a hospital pass,his only real option was a good steady drive to bring it home with all 4 wheels on it.

[Razzzor]

Plus really handicapped starting last. I think if he had no penalties, he would have started 12th or 13th and stayed there (if he got a good start) throughout.

Instead he made a bit of a slow getaway, Kevin got by, by he managed to pass Pascal back on lap one, Kevin with him pitting, but then got stuck behind Ericsson and didn't seem to be able to pass, so they pitted early on lap 9. He started putting in great laps straight away, but then Stroll pitted as well on lap 11 and came out just behind Hartley. This was really the defining moment in Hartley's race, Stroll on those fresh rubbers managed to pass Hartley and held him up from then onwards for the next 25 laps. Stroll was quick to begin with but he was on used softs and the longer the stint went the more Hartley was losing. He couldn't quite get close enough to pass but was always about a second behind, so he must have been faster.

Then when Hartley finally came in for that second stop guess who pitted a lap later to cover him off... goddamn Lance Stroll! At that point Lance had the ultrasofts on, Hartley the safer card with softs, so Lance pulled away a few seconds anyway.

At the end Hartley was catching the guys ahead very quickly, even Lance, another lap and he easily would have been past Vandoorne. But really it's the time he lost behind Stroll in the middle stint that cost him. Without the time loss he probably would have been ahead of Stroll at the end and would have come home 11th - directly behind Kyvat. Which really isn't too shabby considering he had to start at the back.

Gasly did a similar performance, 14th and 13th in his first two races. However Gasly didn't have to start last, plus he had plenty of practise outings and was in a single seater 1 week prior, not 5 years prior.

So yeah a solid debut from Hartley. The only problem being Kyvat turning his performance around with a good run for once.

Hartley just needs to focus on his qualifying laps and passing. Because really he should have found a way past Stroll and Ericsson. Maybe he was playing it safe though, which is probably the best thing to do rather than ending up in a collision. 8th fastest lap as well.

Sounds like it's going to be Hartley and Gasly at Mexico? I think they do need to give Hartley another run, see what he can do with the extra experience and not starting last.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Razzzor

Sounds like it's going to be Hartley and Gasly at Mexico? I think they do need to give Hartley another run, see what he can do with the extra experience and not starting last.

Yes, confirmed. Hartley and Gasly in for Mexico.

[JeremySmith]

Great job in Austin Brendon, we are giving you the ride, and dumping Marko ..

[bella]

excellent choice by toro rosso. though i think they'd rather let the pope have a go than kvyat at this point...

[Aysedasi]

He's darned good that pope. Can't understand why he hasn't been given a chance yet.........

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Yes, confirmed. Hartley and Gasly in for Mexico.

So the real brain ache is whether ...

Gasley is now going to be the replacement driver of Kyvat again only this time in what was originally Sainz's car ?

Or is Gasley resuming his seat in what was Kyvat's car with Hartley now switching over to replace Kyvat in what was Sainz's car ?

And whether there are any penalties due on either of the chassis this time around?


My head hurts re-reading that to make sure it says what I think I'm actually asking.

[Aysedasi]

My head hurts as soon as I read the word 'penalties'. Is this fast becoming the most hated word in F1?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

He's darned good that pope. Can't understand why he hasn't been given a chance yet.........

Can't drive on Saturday afternoons, and Sunday mornings... has other commitments apparently

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

So the real brain ache is whether ...

Gasley is now going to be the replacement driver of Kyvat again only this time in what was originally Sainz's car ?

Or is Gasley resuming his seat in what was Kyvat's car with Hartley now switching over to replace Kyvat in what was Sainz's car ?

And whether there are any penalties due on either of the chassis this time around?


My head hurts re-reading that to make sure it says what I think I'm actually asking.

There is an engine penalty coming for one of the cars isn't there? Mr Hartley took one for the team at CotA...

Maybe he can do/will be asked to do that again.. 20th to 13th is good showing for not knowing the procedures..

[GTRMagic]

Mark Hughes' View

"As good as Verstappen...." is a bit of a stretch....

But it was great to see someone so happy around the place. Ran a very close second to the perpetually smiling Honey Badger...

[Armco Bender]

My sheep are so excited they've started drinking Red Bull....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUnYWLuzbp4

[knighty]

I think Hartley needs to do is drop the floppy hair-do......go full skin-head like when Roy Keane cleaned up his act and came back like a man possessed........back in the days when he was part of the red-bull driver program he stank of an arrogant up-start who cared more about his hair style.

I think what he has achieved in other formula since going his own way is a testament to his metal and commitment, Dr Marko was right to give him another chance.

then there is the small matter of the potential to sell oil-tanker loads of red-bull in the NewZeland market, if Hartley is still in the TR seat for the Australia round in 2018, the PR in NewZeland will go into over-drive for RB fizzy-pop sales.

[S griffin]

He has admitted to a couple of tiny mistakes due to inexperience. Apart from that he did a brilliant job. Would have loved to see how he went if he started from where he qualified. Ironic Kyvat gets dropped after putting in a good performance on his return, but he should have showed that determination earlier. With a race under his belt, Hartley should do even better in Mexico

[Number4]

Originally Posted by knighty

then there is the small matter of the potential to sell oil-tanker loads of red-bull in the NewZeland market, if Hartley is still in the TR seat for the Australia round in 2018, the PR in NewZeland will go into over-drive for RB fizzy-pop sales.

New Zealand has half the population of London, they struggle to consume an oil tanker full of oil.
If a truck crashes into a hedge it is breaking news for a week. Hartley in F1 will be already up there with the moon landings and JFK's assassination.

If you hold him down I will do the business with the clippers.

[Adam43]

Although bear in mind that the All Blacks lost at the weekend, so it might not be the top news story.

[Number4]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Although bear in mind that the All Blacks lost at the weekend, so it might not be the top news story.

Other way around. They will be in a state of denial, shock, disgust, more denial, self loathing, even more denial, self pity.
This feel good story will probably prevent a few dozen suicides.

[bella]

Originally Posted by knighty

I think Hartley needs to do is drop the floppy hair-do......go full skin-head like when Roy Keane cleaned up his act and came back like a man possessed........back in the days when he was part of the red-bull driver program he stank of an arrogant up-start who cared more about his hair style.

not sure what his story was with the teams and the cars but he never quite delivered on the hype when he was with red bull. on that basis red bull were right to bin him off, and he's made a great career out of his post-red bull era. it's worked out well for everyone in that sense.

not sure about the arrogance, he didn't come across brilliantly in the post-session interviews at the weekend but i think that's down to how he articulates himself. the aussies kinda speak in the same way about themselves with a different accent and a bit more enthusiasm.