The Annual F1 Fashion Show
F1 teams start unveiling their livery with HAAS being the first down the runway.
The annual fashion show for F1 has officially started.
The first team strutting their stuff down the runway, a tradition for the small team of 200, HAAS, debuted their upcoming 2023 livery yesterday.
Did you notice the livery is on an old 2022 car?
Yes, this will be the case for the majority of the teams as they show off their new threads.
Why?
My best guess is they are behind on the final production of crucial bits & pieces that changed from 2022 to 2023.
Each year the car evolves through regulation changes made by the FIA.
Some of this year’s changes can be visualized below with most being a big part of continually increasing car safety.
Square roll hoop, increased mirrors, and a clear cockpit comes directly from data/feedback the FIA was receiving during large wrecks.
In one of the late races last year, thanks to Martin Brundle & his grid walks, we saw Adrian Newey examine the Mercedes in detail, getting as close as the rope barrier would allow.
The focus Adrian had on his face read like he was taking detailed mental notes of the Mercedes W13 and their minimal side pod strategy.
Would this be a way to improve the Red Bull in 2023?
Below is a closer look at this area but I expect a LOT of development in this area, with raised sections to allow inwash/outwash, skates to manage floor ride height, and various flaps/cutouts from different teams.
This part of the floor is a critical aerodynamic component for the teams.
On that note.
Adrian and his team although still maintaining a solid link to the RB18 - the RB19 is rumored to be a completely new vehicle with some sources very close to the team reporting that 90% of the aerodynamic surface will be different than its predecessor's.
That’s massive.
What are they cooking up? Will Adrian minimize the sidepod?
Speculation city, right now.
We won’t know until they arrive at pre-season testing or photos get leaked.
Personally, I just want to see real cars; not a digital livery.
With the Williams fancy presentation, you will get Will Buxton personally presenting, yes livery.
Take that money, Will.
Regardless, this is why the fashion show is great for fans, blogs, and the F1 media.
It’s like Steve Jobs introducing a new Apple product. So much build-up and hype.
Will HAAS be good?
Even if we don’t know what the car resembles we can look at HAAS as a safe bet to improve over 2022.
First, they have money, finally.
With MoneyGram and Palm Angels aboard they are flush with cash and carry a budget near the F1 cap according to their fearless leader, Guenther Steiner.
Unfortunately with Steiner’s history with sponsors, it may be, “more of the same”.
Their newest sponsor, Palm Angels, doesn’t have a working website.
Here is my result when googling the “luxury, street brand” website. I hope you have better luck for Guenther’s sake.
Look the crazy Italian may have closed some fake crazy deals in past, but this will be the first time the team has the cash to operate with the big boys.
That’s good news.
This means additional resources, more people, and more talent.
On the racing side, they a have quality driver lineup for the first time in their short history.
Yes, both drivers couldn’t stand each other not too long ago, but you need to know something about drivers. Most have short memories.
No different than a great NFL QB that just threw an interception. On the very next drive, they make that big throw stick, scoring a needed touchdown as if the mistake never happened.
Drivers are similar. We will forget & forgive quickly, especially when the competition becomes a teammate.
Kevin Magnussen proved his worth last year by stepping in, very late albeit. His drive last year was a direct result of Russia invading Ukraine.
He was fast from the get-go scoring points for the team early in the season to the surprise of the entire paddock.
A pole position, the first in HAAS F1 history, made grown men cry on a Saturday all over the world. It was a “made for F1 TV” moment.
Alongside Kevin this year will be Nico Hülkenberg. All the talent, but short of luck has summed up his career. Tons of starts, but zero wins or podiums.
He’s fast and can bring HAAS needed consistency instead of watching Mick Schumacher tear F1 cars. If F1 could send each driver an invoice for damage caused over a race season, Mick would have declared bankruptcy in 2022.
It’s a solid, veteran driver lineup that could produce improved results, especially with additional support from Maranello (Ferrari parts) and the additional technical hires the team made.
Will they fight for the “best of the rest”?
Doubtful, but I could see them mixing it up more this season.
Luck, breakdowns, and poor decisions will still be a curse, but I can see HAAS improving in the constructor’s championship over 2022.
Besides who doesn’t appreciate a Guenther Steiner meme or two?
Hope you learned something and enjoy your day,
🏁Brent🏁
PS Taking long walks without technology is refreshing and I strongly encourage it.