Hulkenberg overshadows Magnussen on return, but both have little to celebrate · RaceFans

Haas took flak from some quarters for dropping second-year driver Mick Schumacher at the end of 2022.

That criticism was swiftly silenced, however, as his replacement Nico Hulkenberg proved not only a more capable performer than Schumacher, but long-serving Haas driver Kevin Magnussen. The driver who comfortably headed Schumacher 16-6 in qualifying last year was himself shaded by a similar margin – 15-7 – by his new team mate this year.

More importantly, both Haas drivers had greater success keeping their cars out of the barriers than Schumacher did, which had been a key factor in his dismissal. When a wrecked VF-23 did return to the garage on the back of a flatbed it tended to be due to the hazards of racing in the midfield (Brazil) or a technical problem (Mexico).

The news late last year Hulkenberg would be paired with Magnussen prompted some wry smiles as the pair had publicly differed over driving standards in the past. But the much-anticipated fireworks never materialised, which was surely to be expected between two drivers with over 300 grands prix between them before the season even began.

But while Haas had the safe pairs of hands they coveted for 2023, they did not reward them with a car capable of regularly challenging for points. The VF-23 came out of the box in good enough shape to reach Q3 and still was by the end of the season. But whatever they tried, neither driver could keep its tyres in good shape over a race distance, and they almost invariably reversed out of the points.

The drivers’ best results therefore came when that disadvantage was neutralised. At the Red Bull Ring, where this team has always done well, Hulkenberg put his car on the second row of the grid and clung on to take sixth in a rain-affected race. He took seventh in Australia, thanks to a late standing restart resulting from a red flag caused by his team mate, grateful for the opportunity to regain the position he’d lost a few laps earlier.

While Hulkenberg took the top scores, Magnussen regularly brought his car home, but never higher than his trio of tenth place finishes.

Under the circumstances it’s hard to fault Haas’ decision to stick with an experienced line-up for 2024. But shortcoming on the driving side has only been one facet of this team’s problems, and they head into the off-season knowing there’s much more to gain on the technical side next year.

More team mate battles

Magnussen

Hulkenberg

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