 |
|
How many competitors on the Grid will be seeing Red
over the arrival of Scuderia Ferrari's new 'B-Team Haas F1 next year? (The
Tomaso Collection)
|
Messer Haas, whose of NO relation to Carl
Haas, an ex-IndyCar stalwart here Stateside
- who ironically was the last person to successfully campaign an
American Formula 1 team, since I'll leave alone Kenny Anderson & Peter Windsor's
stillborn US F1 programme, takes up the charge for us Yanks next season.
World's Largest Consumer still lacks Team, Drivers in Formula 1
As Gene has since long ago secured his
allotment of la Scuderia's ever improving PU's, (Power Unit) which along with
the 1.6-liter "Blown" Ferrari V-6
turbo engine, will be kitted out with the requisite ancillaries needed to propel
today's modern F1 chassis, i.e.; hybrid and turbo power generators, Gearbox,
Batteries, etc - making his intentions clear last summer when initially
announcing his new tie-up with la Scuderia, which began carrying HCN 'Deckle's
(decals) upon its flanks at Silverstone.
During a late night's sleep deprivation, my
cranium whirled over why Messer Haas would be so enraptured upon using Ferrari
lumps in the back of his yet unknown chassis, since Mercedes is undoubtedly the
engine to have. Although speculation then suggested that Haas was set towards
becoming la Scuderia's semi 'B Team for 2015, which naturally now will begin
next April Down Under instead.
Since previously, scuttlebutt persisted over there being as many as five Ferrari powered teams
on the grid in 2016? With the likes of Ferrari, Sauber and Marussia, now
Manor-Marussia F1 being joined by the still unconfirmed Forza Rossa and Haas
Formula, as Y'all remember Forza Rosa right? Which has since gone by the
wayside.
Alas, during this fitful lack of REM, my
thoughts turned to wonderin' just how many "Customer" engine teams
had been successful over the years? For which Grizzled Journo' Joe Saward, as
always, has eloquently penned his story about how the Good 'Ol Dazes of Customer
Engine Champions are long gone!
FORMITIVE YEARS
History denotes that Sir Blackjack (Jack
Brabham) and the Cooper Climax won the 1959-60 titles with the revolutionary rear-engine
machines, while 50yrs ago Scuderia Ferrari won the coveted manufacturer's crown
with a variety of machines before Brabham was successful again with his Repco
V-8's during the first two seasons of the normally aspirated three litre era.
Then came along an engine simply known as the
DFV. Which would go on in history to become the second most famous powerplant
ever! As the Ford bankrolled Cosworth designed and built DFV (Double For
Valves) began life exclusively with Lotus in 1967 at Colin Chapman's insistence.
As Y'all can't blame Chapman for his shrewdness, eh?
As the DFV truly defined the era of customer
engines, as anybody could buy one and its supreme reign from 1968-82 was only interrupted
by Matra's V-12 in 1969 and Ferrari's
affinity for Flat 12-cylinder Boxer engines (1975-77, 1979) before the turbo's
finally usurped the DFV power-wise.
Having first paid
Homage to the ubiquitous Cossie' DFV 'Wayback in '07 when celebrating its
turning the B-I-G' 4-OH!Which means
it'll shortly be turning 50; YIKES!
Then with Formula One's return to normally
aspirated lumps' in 1989, Ford breathed life into the 'Ol Girl, as first the
DFR was created and then ultimately 'DER TERMINATOR, nee Michael Schumacher
gave Ford its final championship crown with the brilliant HB V-8, giving the
Cossie' DFV Family a staggering total of 174 Grand Prix victories!
Yet with the
reintroduction of turbocharged engines, albeit the vastly more complicated
Power Unit variety; as I've already mentioned, Cosworth decided the money
necessary to build a customer PU wasn't worthwhile...
Ro-Ro! Looks
like I've gone down another proverbial "Rabbit Hole" as Statmann'
Caruthers would say; Hya!
Thus, with thee B-I-G' BULLZ', nee Red Bull and
their 'lil Seester' team the 'lil bulls,
aka Toro Rosso both almost certainly set to become la Scuderia customers next
year, suddenly Ferrari will be supplying a massive five Formula 1 teams, i.e.;
Haas, Red Bull, Sauber, Toro Rosso and themselves; YIKES!
Alas, whilst Sauber rightly is worried about
being squeezed out and arguably demoted to a Battle Royale with Toro Rosso for
"Second Best;" Err fifth fiddle in terms of Scuderia support, with
the never ceasing rumblings of Haas being Maranello de facto B-Team'. Surely
Haas will become third fiddle at best behind the rosso "Works" effort
and multiple champions Red Bull, eh?
Meanwhile, while its apparently just a sign
'O the times, I must confess I find it somewhat disappointing that the engine
choice has become skewed by the might of two predominant players, i.e.; Ferrari
and Mercedes - whilst hopefully le Reggie will stay in the game, and Honda can
move forward! Since obviously both Renault and Honda need to improve
drastically!
Alas, while Gene Haas has apparently very
prudently chosen the right engine, as surely Ferrari's PU will catch Mercedes,
right? It seems a disturbing trend of engine manufacturer consolidation,
especially if one of these two manufacturers decide to pull a BMW, Honda or
Toyota! As in leave the sport, which will invariably happen.
And with the engine Questione out of the way,
naturally Attenzione will focus upon who the team's drivers will be next year?
As it seems like a crowded field fighting for probably one seat, which Team
Principal Günter Steiner doesn't sound "bullish" on having American
F1 hopeful Alexander Rossi making the cut. Which would be a shame, especially
with Rossi's current race winning performances in GP2...
As I'll expect Haas F1 to wait 'til at least Austin
to announce Esteban Gutierrez as one of its two
drivers for 2016 to wisely capture the marketing bonanza "Twinned"
with Gutierrez''s home race a week later...