Hulk to Haas

[trackdemon]

No surprise that Mick hasn't retained the seat, he's not shown much improvement in his couple of years and the repair bills can't help in a team that the budget cap doesn't trouble. I like Nico, safe pair of hands, but still a shame not to see a junior getting a chance in a lower end team like so many of the greats have done before on their way to the top....

[trackdemon]

Jasandjules said:

trackdemon said:

No surprise that Mick hasn't retained the seat, he's not shown much improvement in his couple of years and the repair bills can't help in a team that the budget cap doesn't trouble. I like Nico, safe pair of hands, but still a shame not to see a junior getting a chance in a lower end team like so many of the greats have done before on their way to the top....

I think you hit the nail on the head though on both counts. They need a safe pair of hands who will hopefully not crash. That will be a budget question.

A junior may crash, a lot.....

Plus, if I understand correctly, I believe part of the Haas sponsorship package dictates the need for a German driver. Nico ticks a lot of boxes, hope he can do well. Might be fun if some fireworks kick of between him and Kevin - 'suck my balls' springs to mind

[trackdemon]

thegreenhell said:

Thing is, there aren't really any lower end teams like that anymore. There's the big three and then the rest, all of whom are fighting over the midfield points and prizes. The prizes on offer these days are so big they need a solid points scorer. It's not like the old days when you had the likes of Minardi or Forti, or more recently Caterham or Marussia, who were never going to trouble the scorers so it didn't really matter if you had a pay driver or someone straight out of nursery learning the ropes. They just can't afford to do that now. Solid midfield teams need solid drivers.

Yeah I recognize that there's no equivalent to Minardi etc any more, but Haas & Williams are de facto the last two spots so if anyone were to take on a junior you'd think it'd be them. Perhaps there's just nobody good enough (and with enough sponsorship) to make that step.

[trackdemon]

MustangGT said:

95 fiesta si said:

shame for Mick but the Hulk defo deserves a seat in F1

Exactly what has he achieved in F1 to date?

Actually I think he will be good for Haas, he is dependable, provides good feedback etc.

But not an achiever in F1. I believe he is much better suited to other formulae based on his success outside of F1.

I'm not sure he's ever had the kit to really deliver a sustained pitch at podiums. He may not be Hamilton/Verstappen quality in pure speed but he's a very good, and crucially, reliable driver. Probably just what Haas need, mirroring the KM/RG years (even though RG dropped it occasionally!)

[trackdemon]

I don't think F1 has ever had a time when every team on the grid were genuinely expecting to be able to compete at the front; there were some truly rubbish teams making the grid and being generally a mobile chicane through the 70's & 80's. We probably have the closest grid in terms of lap delta P1-P20 than we've seen for a long time. It's simply impossible for every team on the grid to have a realistic tilt at the championship, you only need to look at how long Renault & McLaren have been trying and I'm fairly sure they'd both definitely like to be at the top. AT are their to serve a purpose, Williams we all know their troubles, Haas is a marketing tool which is probably quite fun to run now it's possible for well run teams to turn a profit under the budget cap.