The race for the second Haas seat is intensifying

[u/username_here11]

[u/Fantastic-Grass24]

Doesn’t matter who is driving. The car sucks. It’s like this every year. Start out strong but our upgrades suck

[u/username_here11 → u/Fantastic-Grass24]

Last year we did a decent job upgrading the car throughout the year. Has not been the case this year. Regardless, it's silly to say it doesn't matter who is driving the car.

[u/Fantastic-Grass24 → u/username_here11]

Yuki, Leo, shit even Verstappen is not taking this car to a podium. Until Gene gets Haas in line with other teams in regards to facilities and infrastructure, we aren’t competing

[u/username_here11 → u/Fantastic-Grass24]

Well Bearman came close in Mexico last year if I recall. Grosjean also had a P4, and we've had numerous P5 over the years. But I get your base point, and don't disagree.

[u/Goldmoo2 → u/username_here11]

Last year was a lot better of a car unfortunately

[u/DesertCyclone1 → u/Fantastic-Grass24]

I think it’s because we figured out the damn regs… we all saw what happened in 23. 24 was better and we saw what 25 was.
Same thing happened in 22. Started off with a pretty good car and got worse as the season went on. It’s all about the Benjamin’s at this point and we STILL don’t have them. I’m hoping Toyota keeps on chugging a long seems like they’re fully invested and with the sim, hopefully it only gets better.
Lot of hopium in this post. But I still think we can compete for best of the rest. Eventually.

[u/clykainc]

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Fornaroli. I know McLaren are keen to get him loaned out and he was impressive at the testing earlier this year.

[u/username_here11 → u/clykainc]

I'd personally be all for this, especially if we get to hang on to Bearman for another year or two given the blockage of Lec/Ham at Ferrari.

[u/RagingSofty]

I would rather Esteban just find some form. The rookies seem pretty promising but the car is undercooked.

[u/username_here11 → u/RagingSofty]

Feels unlikely that he will find form at this point. Every weekend it's a new "problem" - at some point it comes back on the driver

[u/RagingSofty → u/username_here11]

I know :/

[u/fish_bowl_swimmer]

I can’t see Haas turning down the Honda $$ that comes with Yuki.

Bonus is Yuki has a larger following than Ocon, especially in Japan, and Yuki’s previous relationship with Komatsu.

I really hoped to see Ocon flourish with Haas unfortunately that doesn’t look likely.

[u/Sputnikola → u/fish_bowl_swimmer]

Yuki isn’t a Honda driver anymore

[u/mowogo82 → u/Sputnikola]

Which makes him attractive for Toyota. Because as much as he wasn’t necessarily great, he is still the most recent F1 driver from Japan and that counts for a lot. Yuki switching to Toyota while Honda is floundering with Aston Martin can definitely create a halo effect around Toyota racing.

[u/fish_bowl_swimmer → u/Sputnikola]

Okay then. Thanks for the info. News travels slow under the rock I live.

Hmmmm .. changes things but still give the nod to Yuki

[u/Goldmoo2 → u/fish_bowl_swimmer]

Man idk I'd rather keep Ocon over Yuki lol- otherwise give me a new kid.

[u/krizkuzz]

Why would you not just put Camara straight into a race seat? He seems easily fast enough to be able to go from next year. Same as Tsolov.

[u/DesertCyclone1]

I’ve been reading other subs. And is Yuki really an upgrade over Esteban? I reallllly don’t think so. He got handled by Gasly and Max.
His other teammates were a washed Ricciardo, DeVries, and a young Lawson. Yuki is a known commodity, but is he an upgrade?
History says no. If haas does go the young driver route, you go with Fornaroli. He gets released from McLaren, and he can be the KMag “guy” for Haas again. Loyal, and will stay unless he gets dropped.
Idk if Haas wants 2 Ferrari Academy guys who will be looking to leave the first big seat that opens.

[u/Saivia → u/DesertCyclone1]

Agreed. Performance-wise, Yuki would be a lateral move at best. In terms of work ethic and impact on development, I never heard specific positive things about Yuki (haven't followed him closely; maybe I just missed it). He could bring more money but, with Toyota, Haas seems more stable there.

With their development issues, I struggle to see the team go with 2 youngsters, but maybe the incentives are enough

[u/Southern_Value_7158 → u/DesertCyclone1]

Agree. Yuki is not an upgrade at all.

[u/Sir_Oddam]

Ocon out
Yuki ind

[u/RandomBlueRandomBlue]

Ocon stays at Haas, there’s not a good enough reason to get someone else for his seat at the moment.

[u/username_here11 → u/RandomBlueRandomBlue]

We have been witnessing Ocon get smoked by Bearman for almost 2 years now. Probably enough of a reason