2019 British Grand Prix

Romain Grosjean started the British Grand Prix in the 14th starting position, Kevin Magnussen the 16th.

At the end of lap 1… Magnussen 4 running 20th by the end of the first lap. The two Haas cars touche on the first lap, and they punctured each other rear tire. Magnussen was blue flagged on lap 3, he retired from the race on lap 8.

Romain Grosjean dropped 5 positions by the end of the first lap of the race. He was running 19th, of the 20 car field. Grosjean was lapped by the Mercedes Silver Arrows on lap 9. He retired from the race on lap 12.

Note* It was on lap 31 that the Sky F1 reporters decided to tell the “American audience” that Grosjean retired due to a lack of down force, and Magnussen a vibration.

The Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi spun out on lap 21. Lewis Hamilton was the first into and out of the pits, and with a new set of hard tires. Enough to take him to the end of thee race. Because of the safety car, and the position of the field at the time of the safety car, Hamilton was able to pit and reemerge back into first place. He would not have been able to do this under normal racing conditions, but the reduced speeds of his competitors from the safety car, the expanded approach time was enough to keep him in first place.

Lewis Hamilton won his 6th British Grand Prix. With 10 laps remaining, there were calls from the Mercedes pit were for Hamilton to pit for new tires. A defiant Hamilton finished the race on those same hard tires. His teammate Valtteri Bottas finished second, and the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc would take the third step.

For Haas… they will regroup. The German Grand Prix is in two weeks; July 28th.

2017 Japanese Grand Prix – Post Race

The results for the Japanese Grand Prix are in, and for the second time this season both Haas F1 Team cars finished in point winning positions. Starting from the 16th position on the starting grid, Romain Grosjean Powered his Haas VF-17 to a P8 finish. Kevin Magnussen finished in P10 after starting ahead of Grosjean in P13.

Lewis Hamilton was the winner of the race. The drivers championship as nearly fallen to Hamilton after the Ferrari driven by Sebastian Vettel retired in lap 5. Mechanics changed a spark plug on the grid before the race, so that was our first clue to a problem with Vettel’s power plant. After what appeared to be a failed cylinder, Vettel made that hard right turn into the pit lane to retire the car, and his championship hopes were done. Lewis Hamilton could win at the Formula 1 drivers championship with a win at the US Grand Prix in Austin Texas and a P6 or worse finish for Vettel.

Upon returning to the garage, Vettel sat in his car for a an extended moment. perhaps he was holding onto the last moment of the seasons hope for a championship.  It was at that moment he had to accept the mathematical reality of the drivers championship standings.  Drivers are mandated by Formula 1 to provide access and interviews for the media after races. Vettel waved to the crowd, did not meet the press, and left the track. A bitter pill…

But as to the race, it was a good one. On lap 44 the two Haas cars executed a double passed on the Williams racer of Felipe Massa.

Haas F1 is currently in 7th place in the constructors championship. While still in only their second year, and with only fours races remain, the American startup is ahead of Renault and McLaren.

Next stop for the F1 circus, Austin Texas, and the United States Grand Prix. The home Grand Prix for the Haas F1 Team and it’s fans!!! It’s gona be a hoot! See you at Circuit Of The Americas!