The Official F1 2023 silly season *contains speculation*

[Piginapoke]

InformationSuperHighway said:

Disappointed to see Mick out and Hulk back.. dunno why either.. just feels like a retrograde step on the grid.

I’d rather see another young up and comer given a go.

Haas would say they’ve already tried that I suppose. I think it reflects a bit more confidence in Haas about what they can do next year, and the need to have two competitive cars and not rely on a pay driver.

Schumacher did improve a bit in H2, I think he is such a natural fit for Williams next year I can’t believe they have gone for Sergeant, who seems to lack any obvious quality.

[the-norseman]

Piginapoke said:

Schumacher did improve a bit in H2, I think he is such a natural fit for Williams next year I can’t believe they have gone for Sergeant, who seems to lack any obvious quality.

Well, hearing Mercedes are going to offer Mick the test seat now, if Sergeant fails to get the points or half way through the season is a total flop sure Mercedes will slot Mick in at Williams.

[Leithen]

What an odd team HAAS is. I like both Magnussen and Hulkenburg, but what does it say about the setup that it has ended up with them?

I think Schumacher might have much more fun in WEC and any chance to work for Mercedes would ironically benefit him far more than staying at HAAS.

Will he return to F1? If the show pulled its finger out and increased the grid then it would be a no brainer. But for now I’m not sure. He might make a good No2 to Russell in a few years though.

[Jonny_]

It's a shame about Mick. I know he's not exactly blown anyone away with his performances, but this was effectively his first proper season, 2021 being something of a shambles with a truly crap car and a complete dhead for a teammate. Personally I think he deserved another season to prove himself, and in all honesty would probably be better off somewhere other than Haas.

On the other hand, it's nice to see Hulk back in F1. Hopefully he has a decent season and can get on with Kevin Magnussen this time around!

[Pflanzgarten]

There's also all the stuff going on behind the scenes as well, car set up, directing engineers, problem solving-maybe he's not making any progress there either.

The top and bottom of it, as nice a lad as he appears to be he wasn't cutting it.

Hulk? Always liked his driving but as a fan I feel he's had his chance. I'd have preferred to see Ricciardo in there but who knows what's going through his mind-maybe he thinks it's beneath him? Maybe he really has lost his self belief and needs some time off.

[glazbagun]

Leithen said:

What an odd team HAAS is. I like both Magnussen and Hulkenburg, but what does it say about the setup that it has ended up with them?

I think Schumacher might have much more fun in WEC and any chance to work for Mercedes would ironically benefit him far more than staying at HAAS.

Will he return to F1? If the show pulled its finger out and increased the grid then it would be a no brainer. But for now I’m not sure. He might make a good No2 to Russell in a few years though.

Didn't Stewart run similar? Getting old hands in midpack cars used to be quite common- late carreer Alesi, Berger etc'd. I'd guess it's the best cost/benefit mix.

[Gweeds]

“ Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill”

[RiseUp]

Not a fan of the Haas announcement. Hulk will do what Hulk does and provide nothing new to the team.

[Leithen]

Pflanzgarten said:

There's also all the stuff going on behind the scenes as well, car set up, directing engineers, problem solving-maybe he's not making any progress there either.

The top and bottom of it, as nice a lad as he appears to be he wasn't cutting it.

Hulk? Always liked his driving but as a fan I feel he's had his chance. I'd have preferred to see Ricciardo in there but who knows what's going through his mind-maybe he thinks it's beneath him? Maybe he really has lost his self belief and needs some time off.

Difficult to expect Schumacher to have any level of expertise directing engineers etc given the st show that 2021 was, and the fundamental concept change of 2022. Ironically, HAAS might have been better of having Hulkenburg this season, and that isn't a criticism of Schumacher.

I think MS has potential, but HAAS I'm less convinced by. By using so many Ferrari components, their car will always be a mongrel. There doesn't appear to be any plan to change this, despite the Moneygram sponsorship. The management is at best disfunctional. With Andretti and others knocking on the door of F1, whilst the teams show no sign of wanting to dilute their billionaire scheme, HAAS is effectively an investment bed-blocker. At some point someone will make a ridiculous offer and Haas will sell. I don't expect them to be doing anything other than under-achieving anytime soon I'm afraid.

[satfinal]

From a 2nd year Rookie who hasn't done much yet, to a 12 year vet who err... hasn't done much yet

try supporting your drivers more, Mr FunnySwearMan

[MikeGTi]

I really don't understand Haas dropping Mick in favour of Hulkenburg. Mick has just as many podiums...

[_Yeti]

Hopefully, Mick has gone straight to Toto and secured the Merc reserve drive. Having an opportunity to learn from Lewis, George and the whole team at Mercedes while also picking up reserve for any Merc powdered car on the grid. Sounds like a very good proposition.

[Pflanzgarten]

Leithen said:

I think MS has potential...

For what though?

Generally, anyone half decent/journeyman has at least shown some potential to achieve something great if they were in a better car, I could say that about most who've been in crap cars;

Stroll (pole, wet performances)
Magnussen (pole, podium first race?)
Bottas (pole and nearly winning)
Russel (blitzing team mates)
Perez (nearly winning in that Sauber)
Ocon (taking the win)
Gasly ((taking the win)


Mick? I recall a decent lunge into the hairpin at Monaco one year. Unfortunately I put him in the group of Latifi, Zhou and Tsunoda and if I were to rank those four he'd be closer to Latifi than the other two.

[Leithen]

Pflanzgarten said:

Mick? I recall a decent lunge into the hairpin at Monaco one year. Unfortunately I put him in the group of Latifi, Zhou and Tsunoda and if I were to rank those four he'd be closer to Latifi than the other two.

He's shown speed, even in the 2021 car. Austria this year was very impressive. He's had difficulty producing an exceptional single lap throughout his career though, and if there is anything that will stop him returning to F1 it will be this. Perhaps that's something he can address in the Mercedes simulator if he gets that role.

I suspect once the dust has settled, the difficulty in showing anything at HAAS will be better appreciated. It really is a dysfunctional team at every level.

[Pflanzgarten]

Leithen said:

I suspect once the dust has settled, the difficulty in showing anything at HAAS will be better appreciated. It really is a dysfunctional team at every level.

We’ll have to agree to differ on that then. Magnussen has shown it’s easy to shine at Haas if you have the guts and the talent.

2021 showed Haas in a poor light, especially if you just watch Drive To Survive. I think the team were guilty of allowing the cameras too much access but they needed the exposure.

Gunther used to lead people I know, his reputation is very high in these parts.

[Fundoreen]

Once again people assume a small team with limited resources should be a test lab for drivers that if any good immediately clear off elsewhere. Fine if the team is bankrolled by the main players.
I would think there is more to this than just the driving. Maybe they wanted someone pleased to be part of the Haas team
not just practicing before clearing of to a big team.
Shumi jr will be ok. Im sure Mercedes would take him on in some capacity rather than go for Richiardo who has pretty much lived the career which Shumi jr was aspiring to emulate.

[SpudLink]

Pflanzgarten said:

Leithen said:

I think MS has potential...

For what though?

Generally, anyone half decent/journeyman has at least shown some potential to achieve something great if they were in a better car, I could say that about most who've been in crap cars;

Stroll (pole, wet performances)
Magnussen (pole, podium first race?)
Bottas (pole and nearly winning)
Russel (blitzing team mates)
Perez (nearly winning in that Sauber)
Ocon (taking the win)
Gasly ((taking the win)


Mick? I recall a decent lunge into the hairpin at Monaco one year. Unfortunately I put him in the group of Latifi, Zhou and Tsunoda and if I were to rank those four he'd be closer to Latifi than the other two.

Agree with this. Schumacher has shown he can be adequate, nothing more. Sometime looking fast is the minimum requirement at this level. Beyond the name, I don’t see why you’d retain him ahead of Hulk, a driver who will deliver consistent solid results.
Even better would be the next potential superstar, but the best of the available bunch will be at McLaren next season..

[realjv]

Mick always improved in his second year in all the jr formulae but unlike F1 in those categories the cars didn't change or evolve constantly.

Hulk is a 'treading water' solution for Haas as they try to maintain the gains they've made. Steady with no real flashes of genius,

[cuprabob]

Isn't there also a bit of tension between GS and MS which has been fueled a bit by Uncle Ralf's comments.

[thegreenhell]

MikeGTi said:

I really don't understand Haas dropping Mick in favour of Hulkenburg. Mick has just as many podiums...

The same number of podiums as the team has too, so I can't imagine that was a consideration in their decision. They just want a pair of consistent points scorers who can push each other and the team along in a tight midfield. Mick hasn't done that, but Hulk historically has.