2023 Season

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Out of curiosity - why would getting invoiced direct (as opposed to any other arrangement between supplier and customer) make any difference?

Made in house or partly subbed out is much, much cheaper.

The Haas model is cheap overall but spares are expensive.

Standard manufacturer model, adopted by Dallara, is cost-effective chassis followed up by massively profitable spares and consumables.

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Clearly Haas has brought Hulkenberg back to allow him to extend one of his most famous records out of the reach of others. That is his 179 race starts without ever standing on the podium.

I think I posted somewhere here on this forum that I don't expect we will see Hulkenberg back in F1 as a regular driver. I honestly am shocked by Haas doing this. Not that Mick is the right answer, but I do think Hulkenberg is the wrong answer. But for Haas' sake, I really hope I am wrong.

Richard

Hulkenberg is, which I find extremely puzzling, very popular. I wonder why. A few funny radio calls doesn't make a race driver, do they?



Steiner apparently said they have decided they need experience and drivers which can help drive development. Maybe Hulkenberg is one of those guys who is very uninspiring as a racer, but gives good feedback?

[Adam43]

He comes across as a decent guy. If that helps makes you popular maybe all is not lost.

As for driving. He’s decent enough pedaler. I see your point, is there no one else. I suppose if you are after experience, probably not. Or at least there is a lot of similar talent in that category.

[Born Racer]

He's difficult to rate because he hasn't had any outstanding results. He's always seemed a safe pair of hands for points (apart from when in really high positions on occasion when something has always gone wrong, although he's had that happen through no fault of his own too). Apart from the rare greats and the poor by F1 standard drivers, so many are difficult to rate, so I can only give Haas the benefit of the doubt and say that they are right to put him alongside Magnussen. It's certainly not a Mazepin approach. For what it's worth, he also comes across as a decent guy.

In any case, going back to the point about decent drivers hard to categorise, even they can blow hot and cold. Look at Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull and Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren.

[S griffin]

I think people also love him for being the underdog. Perhaps the best driver never to get a podium in F1, although that could still change

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I think people also love him for being the underdog. Perhaps the best driver never to get a podium in F1, although that could still change

If his popularity is the underdog thing, he'd better not getting too good results then!

[Skam85]

Haas just don't want a driver that's going to split the car in half every 6 races so they can spend the repair bills on development. Kmag and Hulk are these drivers. Mazepin and sadly as likeable as Mick is, are not.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Haas just don't want a driver that's going to split the car in half every 6 races so they can spend the repair bills on development. Kmag and Hulk are these drivers. Mazepin and sadly as likeable as Mick is, are not.

I agree with this. And if I'm absolutely blunt about it - everyone wants ti like Mick. But right now, he just isn't that good.

[crmalcolm]

Chinese GP to be cancelled because of the country's Covid policies

'China's return to the Formula 1 schedule will be cancelled next year as a result of the country's Covid policies, BBC Sport has learned.

Formula 1 has not visited China since 2019, but was due to return for the fourth race in 2023 on 16 April.

China's zero-Covid policy has led F1 to conclude the race cannot go ahead.

The key sticking point is that F1 staff would not be given exemptions from quarantine requirements in the event of suffering a Covid-19 infection.'

[chillibowl]

from the above article: The sport is not expected to seek to replace China with another race, so the calendar will be cut to 23 races - still an all-time record but one event fewer than F1 had originally planned.

still to many races imo but i can appreciate the symmetry of 23 races in 2023!

[chillibowl]

Alonso already in the AM...didnt realize Alpine had given him an early release.

Alonso never seems to leave a team on good terms so i cant imagine how angry he is at Alpine for what he must consider another wasted season in F1?

[E.B]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Alonso already in the AM...didnt realize Alpine had given him an early release.

I think that is why he is in a logo / sponsor free (other than the AM badge) plain green car and is wearing a logo free helmet, and I daresay overalls as well. So as not to upset existing sponsorships he is contractually tied to until end December.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Alonso never seems to leave a team on good terms so i cant imagine how angry he is at Alpine for what he must consider another wasted season in F1?

Everyone lives in Fernandos head rent free. When he leaves AMR it'll be spectacular.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Everyone lives in Fernandos head rent free. When he leaves AMR it'll be spectacular.

haha right! already have my popcorn ready!

[peebee2]

There’s a lot of people thinking and hoping Fernando vs Larry will be the battle of next season.

[S griffin]

I reckon Lance Stroll will probably be the one who benefits most from this. Can't see Freddy continuing beyond next year, especially as Aston Martin have tough times ahead

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by AndreasDavour

Hulkenberg is, which I find extremely puzzling, very popular. I wonder why. A few funny radio calls doesn't make a race driver, do they?



Steiner apparently said they have decided they need experience and drivers which can help drive development. Maybe Hulkenberg is one of those guys who is very uninspiring as a racer, but gives good feedback?

Methodical, reliable and he can drive.
His junior years he was a standout in the nations GP series and then also took the F2 title in his first year, which puts him in hallowed company with Rosberg, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell and Leclerc.
Then he got a pole position in his first F1 year with Williams....
Speed wasn't a problem and when he subbed for Perez at Racing Point he scored points.
He's also mechanically sympathetic and not hard on machinery.
Won in 2015 as third driver with Porsche.
All of that makes him a better proposition for Steiner when looking at his repair bill and the desire to get the cars into the top ten.
If the car is any good and Hulkenberg still has form he will score points for Haas and may actually outscore Magnussen.

So really, not a bad choice. No exciting from an emotional point of view or a 'new upcoming' talent but if he reliably scores points he makes money for Haas.
And that is what it's about.

[dsg]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

So really, not a bad choice. No exciting from an emotional point of view or a 'new upcoming' talent but if he reliably scores points he makes money for Haas.
And that is what it's about.

This is a good assessment. HAAS as a team give me the impression that they are not really there to compete but more than happy to just participate. With this in mind the Hulk appars to be a good addition to the team.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by dsg

This is a good assessment. HAAS as a team give me the impression that they are not really there to compete but more than happy to just participate. With this in mind the Hulk appars to be a good addition to the team.

F1 is a competition so they are there to compete. No one would go into F1 to 'not compete'.
But they know their limitations and financial boundaries so they cannot compete with Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, Alpine (Renault). But they can compete with the others and do so a cut above their weight.
And to do so is satisfying and meaningful to the owners.
It has a purpose and to be good at what they do, to be one of the best at it it would give them enormous satisfaction.
That is enough reason for them to be there.

[broadrun96]

Exactly that, they are there to compete on the terms set by the FIA at their joining of the series

[dsg]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

F1 is a competition so they are there to compete. No one would go into F1 to 'not compete'.
But they know their limitations and financial boundaries so they cannot compete with Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, Alpine (Renault). But they can compete with the others and do so a cut above their weight.
And to do so is satisfying and meaningful to the owners.
It has a purpose and to be good at what they do, to be one of the best at it it would give them enormous satisfaction.
That is enough reason for them to be there.

I feel F1 is a business more than a competition to HAAS. We can see that in the structure/organisation of their team compared to others. Please don't take my post as being critical of HAAS. That was not the intent. HAAS perform quite well in comparision to some other teams at their level and this is why I thought the hiring of Hulkenburg was a good business choice.

I agree HAAS fill a niche in F1 but unlike some other 2nd or 3rd tier teams I get the impression HAAS are content with where they are, whereas teams like Aston Martin, McLaren Alpine and even Williams aim to compete at a higher level.

Hope that makes more sense.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by dsg

I feel F1 is a business more than a competition to HAAS. We can see that in the structure/organisation of their team compared to others. Please don't take my post as being critical of HAAS. That was not the intent. HAAS perform quite well in comparision to some other teams at their level and this is why I thought the hiring of Hulkenburg was a good business choice.

I agree HAAS fill a niche in F1 but unlike some other 2nd or 3rd tier teams I get the impression HAAS are content with where they are, whereas teams like Aston Martin, McLaren Alpine and even Williams aim to compete at a higher level.

Hope that makes more sense.

It does make sense and I agree with you re the Haas performance.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I reckon Lance Stroll will probably be the one who benefits most from this. Can't see Freddy continuing beyond next year, especially as Aston Martin have tough times ahead

Why do you think AM have tough times ahead?

[bjohnsonsmith]

The Chinese GP has been cancelled.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/63831931

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

The Chinese GP has been cancelled.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/63831931

from the article: The statement said: "Formula 1 is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course."

i had thought their earlier release on this cancelation had indicated that they would not be looking for a replacement race?

shall we have a poll on which non democratic country will be first in line to buy the rights?

Money talks
But it can't sing and dance and it can't walk!