LHamilton wrote: ↑27 Oct 2022, 05:55
I wanna go into the HAAS situation, because it's quite perculiar given the statements that have been made by HAAS (Gene and Gunther) as well as the rumours flying around. I've attached two questions that were given to Guenther in the press meeting in USA. It can be found at the bottom of the text.
Mick's seat is up for grabs and it seems like it's between Mick and Hulkenberg (going by the rumours). 'Leadership' and 'Experience' (not wanting a rookie) are two attributes that has been thrown around by Guenther, and that worries me slightly. Because surely, these are attributes that Magnussen SHOULD have, given his amount of time within F1. But there seems like Guenther is implying that is lacking. But what if it was something else? Could it be that Guenther recognizes that Mick might not be a long term solution? Not because he might not be fast enough, or reliable enough, but because of the desire from Audi (maybe Mercedes if Hamilton retires at some point) to bring Mick to them. German driver in a german team. Makes sense from a marketing perspective. From HAAS perspective, they might be nourishing a driver that might leave them sooner rather than later. And thus they might do the media angle of wanting an experienced driver to not look to foolish.
So with that in mind, if Mick were to re-sign, they might just be able to keep him for maximum of three years. Which I wouldn't call 'long term'. With Audi already confirming the Sauber connection, it might even be as soon as 2024. Do HAAS have that scenario in mind? And is that why they haven't already signed him up and might be looking for a short term option (such as Hulkenberg), to hopefully find a suitable driver to carry them forward long term?
But then again, what does Mick prefer? Audi/Alfa/Sauber at 2024 (at the earliest) and sitting a year out, or signing an another year(s) at HAAS?
If it turns out they ACTUALLY wants leadership and experience due to Magnussen lacking in that department, it's not really a good look for Magnussen. At that point, you might wanna look at replacing Magnussen and perhaps pair up a Hulkenberg (which I would consider to be an upgrade on Magnussen (given that it is 2020 Hulkenberg)) with a more rookie-esque driver, like Mick. Because although Magnussen has decent speed, there probably are people out there that could match him (and surpass him) which Mick already has done on multiple occasions. But replacing Magnussen for 23' won't happen since HAAS most likely won't spend the money to buy him out.
Then you might have to ask if the damage was done when they signed Magnussen for two years. But why would HAAS sign Magnussen for two years, knowing that the another seat would be a rookie-esque driver and thus could not be relied upon for leadership and experience. So it would have to be Magnussen and Magnussen alone. But if Magnussen got the leadership and experenced required, they could just bring another rookie though? Shwartzman for instance. I don't really see him getting into a Ferrari seat anytime soon. Surely that's a good brick to take, if you fear that Mick might eventually leave to go to a german team. Or do HAAS just simply need two experienced drivers to get anywhere?
Yeah, I'm abit confused about the direction HAAS is taking... Perhaps I've taken the attributes of leadership and experience a tad to far in my contemplations though. Will be interesting who it is and the reasoning for it.
Two Questions To Guenther Steiner In The Press Meeting:
"Q: Now, let's talk about your second driver for next year. On Thursday, Kevin said that Mick Schumacher deserves another season in Formula 1, what's your reaction to Kevin's comments?
GS: I heard this comment for the first time. I don't think… Deserving or not, a lot of people deserve something. I need to look after the whole team and see if Mick is the chosen one. You know, I'm not saying it's not Mick or anything. I think I got a lot of consultancy from people, what people think who should be driving the car, who deserves what and whatever. And obviously, Kevin said that as well, that he thinks, but that is what he thinks but in the end I need to look after or we need to look after our team for the future and then we will take the driver we want in the car and we think we can go forward with in developing the team you know. So if it is Mick, it is Mick, and if it’s somebody else, it’s somebody else. But you know with these comments, I mean, I get them all day long. You know people telling me what we should be doing.
Q: Well, what is in the best interests of the team in terms of that second driver? Do you want someone with more experience?
GS: I mean, Mick has got some experience, obviously it’s his second year in Formula 1. Is that enough, you know, to take the team forward? We need leadership from this position. And these are all the things I evaluate, you know, that's the most important thing. How can we take the team forward?"
Source: https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2022-united ... transcript
I don’t think it ha anything to do with Kmag lacking experience or leadership, simply that haas and Günther aren’t interested in nurturing a rookie or dealing with Schumachers endless accidents, a Team like McLaren or alpine has the money to cover any accident damage their new talent many cause. haas doesn’t. Mick has cost them upwards of 5mil in crash damage, considering how much shouting there has been about the 1,8mil RB overspend being worth almost 3 tenths, just imagine what haas could do with an extra 5 mil. Also, While debatable, I belobe Schumacher is closer to drugovich than Leclerc, Russell or (in this case key) Piastri.
These guys won f2 against fierce competition.
Schumacher won f2 against a number of less experienced drivers, in a massively over powered prema, only fighting illott and tsunoda over the end of the season, benefitting from the laters bad reliability.
It’s worth noting that f2 championship vary massively by year. 2018 was probably the most stacked deck in the last 10 years.
It’s always worth giving a f2 champ a shot at f1, but it’s also important to call time when they aren’t good enough
Haas seemingly want to go back to the type of line-up they had 2016-20 with 2 experiences decent drivers, they do not need to be the next Verstappen or Hamilton, but also can’t be breaking 3 chassis a season. This is where hulk &Kmag is ideal. Not to expensive both in salary and crash damage, hulk keeps the German sponsors at haas and they get 2 decent midfield drivers.
Also, if Schumacher is even considering the 2024 Audi drive, he is even more insane than Daniel Ricciardo thinking he’ll end up at Mercedes.
Both of them need to realise, you take what you get, I’m sure Günther would love Ricciardo, but Ricciardos head is way to big to even accept being crucified by lando, let alone realise the peril is career is in.
There is absolutely zero chance of Audi being interested in mick. He will be just another Vandoorne or Hartley or Kvyat, decently quick on their day but not good enough to stick around for more than a few years.
Just compare the 2018 f2 grid to the 2020 Version.
Norris matched sainz in his first season, somebody who was matching max in 2016
Albon was fighting gasly, a driver with 2 years experience in the Team and a race winner.
Russel obliterated Kubica(who sadly isnt the same as 2005 kubica)
Schumacher was faster than a pay driver and after a year in the sport, wasn’t able to match a old driver who’d spent a year on the sidelines, not exactly inspiring stuff.
We need to get over micks name and realise he isn’t the second coming of his father and is simply another midfield driver who while fast enough on his day, couldn’t quite make it.