Nikita Mazepin

[crmalcolm]

Did we see a sign at Silverstone that Mazepin is beginning to adapt to F1, and is learning how to manage tyres well?

'Schumacher wants to understand Mazepin’s tyre management advantage'

We as a team were trying to not overheat the tyres in the first three laps. And it seems like Nikita was pushing a bit harder in the first few laps and still managed to to keep his tyres in the window. So that’s something I’ll have to analyse why and how, because there was a lot of margin for me to go faster.

For me - definitely something to look for next time out, and if he continues to make progress then full credit to him.

[S griffin]

It’s a better performance, but if it’s just a one off, then it doesn’t mean anything

[greentrumpet]

Kwik Fit did the tracking better on Nicky Tamazapan's car?

[Derwent]

It's a concern that Mick is not substantially faster than Maz in the way that George Russell is over his paying team mate. On the other hand perhaps Maz is actaully quicker than we give him credit for?

[S griffin]

Mick's a talented driver, but he's not on the same level as George.

[Aysedasi]

Until he gets into an even moderately decent car, it's difficult to tell....

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Derwent

It's a concern that Mick is not substantially faster than Maz in the way that George Russell is over his paying team mate. On the other hand perhaps Maz is actaully quicker than we give him credit for?

As far as I was aware Steiner classifies both Maz and Schu as pay drivers..... or as he put it, "both are there for their financial benefits". My belief was Ferrari were contributing towards Schu being employed at Haas (either by parts or $$$) plus Mick has personal sponsors bought to Haas to pay for his drive.
Grosjeab made no secret of the reasons why he and KMag were not retained, and it was simply Haas post Covid were not in a position to pay drivers a wage, and would need their drivers to bring funding.
The same financial reasons were behind the team deciding not to update last years cars beyond any safety additions mandated, saving any money for development for the 2022 'new regs' challenger.
Happy to be corrected.

[peebee2]

Schu jr brings plenty of budget to buy his drive.

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Until he gets into an even moderately decent car, it's difficult to tell....

I think its also true to say that Mick takes a couple of years to settle in.

Throughout his junior career this has always been the case. I would judge him on the results of his second or third year.

[Adam43]

Not particularly relevant to Mick, but that is often a barrier to overcome. Sometimes we get so used to a hot-shoe like Max coming in and being good straight off that we expect that this is the only way.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Not particularly relevant to Mick, but that is often a barrier to overcome. Sometimes we get so used to a hot-shoe like Max coming in and being good straight off that we expect that this is the only way.

Exactly, some like Max and George are special cases you see their talent straight away. Others bed themselves in as they learn more.

[Aysedasi]

I wonder what a danger it is for Mick to be running with such a no hope team? I know that GR has had that to deal with for a couple of seasons, but his one outing with Merc was full of promise and the Williams is at least improving. A season with a really poor car isn't exactly going to enhance Mick's reputation and he needs to comprehensively beat his highly unrated teammate on every occasion.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

I think its also true to say that Mick takes a couple of years to settle in.

Throughout his junior career this has always been the case. I would judge him on the results of his second or third year.

Originally Posted by Adam43

Not particularly relevant to Mick, but that is often a barrier to overcome. Sometimes we get so used to a hot-shoe like Max coming in and being good straight off that we expect that this is the only way.

To the comments above. I agree some drivers just need to settle in. That just because they are not immediately quick doesn't mean they will never be quick. The problem is, with examples like Max (immediately quick), F1 teams are always looking for the "Next Big Thing"® so if driver X is not quick right away, they may tend to move him out of F1 quickly to try someone else.

Originally Posted by peebee2

Schu jr brings plenty of budget to buy his drive.

And that comment above (which I assume is true) may be his saving grace. At least from the perspective of being able to slot into a team that is looking for a pay driver.

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I wonder what a danger it is for Mick to be running with such a no hope team? I know that GR has had that to deal with for a couple of seasons, but his one outing with Merc was full of promise and the Williams is at least improving. A season with a really poor car isn't exactly going to enhance Mick's reputation and he needs to comprehensively beat his highly unrated teammate on every occasion.

Then this is the next question. You may have a secure seat, but is the car/team helping or hurting you? While not ideal, it may be OK to be in a slow car if the main problem is "just slow". Because at least you can build confidence, push the limits of the car and build experience. What you don't want is a car that is slow because it is a hot mess. If you can't trust it, you (and/or the team) are lost with how to setup the car from one event to the next, etc. Then you are not able to trust the car and learn. You are probably just doing your best to survive and not crash out!

I know that before the driver change at Haas, it seemed like the car was just unpredictable over the course of a weekend. Maybe it started the race fine, then the handling changed mid-race. Remember the stuff from 2020 in which there was discussion about problems with heat and the Haas and how it impacted the character of the car during a race?

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ha...77867/4977867/

Was that fully fixed for 2021? If not, then the Haas might be a bit of a devil to drive. How much development is Haas doing with the current car vs. focusing on 2022?

Williams had similar issues in that they seemed to be lost with respect to the car, but they have continued to grind away at it and now we have George dragging it into Q3 where previously they were battling Haas for last on the grid! Hopefully Haas is given their drivers at least something they can have some level of confidence in and get experience during 2021.

Richard

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

To the comments above. I agree some drivers just need to settle in. That just because they are not immediately quick doesn't mean they will never be quick. The problem is, with examples like Max (immediately quick), F1 teams are always looking for the "Next Big Thing"® so if driver X is not quick right away, they may tend to move him out of F1 quickly to try someone else.


And that comment above (which I assume is true) may be his saving grace. At least from the perspective of being able to slot into a team that is looking for a pay driver.


Then this is the next question. You may have a secure seat, but is the car/team helping or hurting you? While not ideal, it may be OK to be in a slow car if the main problem is "just slow". Because at least you can build confidence, push the limits of the car and build experience. What you don't want is a car that is slow because it is a hot mess. If you can't trust it, you (and/or the team) are lost with how to setup the car from one event to the next, etc. Then you are not able to trust the car and learn. You are probably just doing your best to survive and not crash out!

I know that before the driver change at Haas, it seemed like the car was just unpredictable over the course of a weekend. Maybe it started the race fine, then the handling changed mid-race. Remember the stuff from 2020 in which there was discussion about problems with heat and the Haas and how it impacted the character of the car during a race?

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ha...77867/4977867/

Was that fully fixed for 2021? If not, then the Haas might be a bit of a devil to drive. How much development is Haas doing with the current car vs. focusing on 2022?

Williams had similar issues in that they seemed to be lost with respect to the car, but they have continued to grind away at it and now we have George dragging it into Q3 where previously they were battling Haas for last on the grid! Hopefully Haas is given their drivers at least something they can have some level of confidence in and get experience during 2021.

Richard

Credit where it’s due. Jos Capito has come in cleared out some
Of the cruisers and refocused - it’s not actually rocket science but needs people “who know” and don’t live on past glories. Here’s hoping. Bottas might return at just the right time!!?

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

To the comments above. I agree some drivers just need to settle in. That just because they are not immediately quick doesn't mean they will never be quick. The problem is, with examples like Max (immediately quick), F1 teams are always looking for the "Next Big Thing"® so if driver X is not quick right away, they may tend to move him out of F1 quickly to try someone else.


And that comment above (which I assume is true) may be his saving grace. At least from the perspective of being able to slot into a team that is looking for a pay driver.


Then this is the next question. You may have a secure seat, but is the car/team helping or hurting you? While not ideal, it may be OK to be in a slow car if the main problem is "just slow". Because at least you can build confidence, push the limits of the car and build experience. What you don't want is a car that is slow because it is a hot mess. If you can't trust it, you (and/or the team) are lost with how to setup the car from one event to the next, etc. Then you are not able to trust the car and learn. You are probably just doing your best to survive and not crash out!

I know that before the driver change at Haas, it seemed like the car was just unpredictable over the course of a weekend. Maybe it started the race fine, then the handling changed mid-race. Remember the stuff from 2020 in which there was discussion about problems with heat and the Haas and how it impacted the character of the car during a race?

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ha...77867/4977867/

Was that fully fixed for 2021? If not, then the Haas might be a bit of a devil to drive. How much development is Haas doing with the current car vs. focusing on 2022?

Williams had similar issues in that they seemed to be lost with respect to the car, but they have continued to grind away at it and now we have George dragging it into Q3 where previously they were battling Haas for last on the grid! Hopefully Haas is given their drivers at least something they can have some level of confidence in and get experience during 2021.

Richard

I think the trouble with a driver that is not immediately quick (with some latitude for lack of experience ) is that the cars are seldom perfect and the driver needs to compensate for the issues that arise from race to race.

A Hamilton or Verstappen are quick everywhere and will do the best the car will do every week, somebody like Bottas will do a great job when they are completely comfortable, but are not there with absolute consistency.

Cars that are inconsistent and have evil tendencies like the Haas when its suspension system is heated, I feel fall beyond a driver evaluation envelope.
Still think Rogro and Magnussen were way better drivers than they are given credit for.
I also think that George is one of the once in a generation talents everybody is looking for, time will tell.

[steve_r]

Yet more avoidable shenanigans again this weekend, with Mazepin penalised for crashing into his teammate.

I hate to think what is going to happen if next years Haas is actually quick enough for Mazepin to properly compete with other cars.

[S griffin]

Mazepin has become as dirty, if not more, than his team mate’s father!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I hate to think what is going to happen if next years Haas is actually quick enough for Mazepin to properly compete with other cars.

Is there any way we can get Dan Ticktum into the other Haas? That way they'd likely take each other out before they leave the garage

[Richard C]

When Mazepin's engine stopped. I was wondering if in the Haas garage someone flipped up the protective cover and pushed the "emergency stop" button for Mazepin's engine.

When you are driving around at the back, grid penalties just don't work well. Maybe someone just needs to take your car away from you.

Richard

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Is there any way we can get Dan Ticktum into the other Haas? That way they'd likely take each other out before they leave the garage

And have the subsequent season of Drive to Survive be just about that one team, please.

[S griffin]

Just seen a big shock, Mazepin is now out of the title fight thanks to his DNF! And worse he's 21st in the championship in a 20 car field!

[Akrapovic]

Mazepin is 21st in the drivers championship. In a series that only has 20 car races.

Edit: we posted at the same time lol.

Amazing that Kubica did one race and that elevated him above Mazepin.

[greentrumpet]

What a great tribute to a glittering career, 21st out of 20. Well deserved.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Just seen a big shock, Mazepin is now out of the title fight thanks to his DNF! And worse he's 21st in the championship in a 20 car field!

Is this the first time something like this has happened?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Mazepin is 21st in the drivers championship. In a series that only has 20 car races.

Amazing that Kubica did one race and that elevated him above Mazepin.

Is it really an indication of how bad Mazepin is, or more a reflection on the car?