Revved Up! Readers React to Week's Biggest Racing News, Dec. 1 Edition

We’re back this week with some of the best stories and reader comments, as well as my take on both. Let me know if you agree or disagree with my thoughts in the reader comments at the bottom of this mailbag.

This week, we look at all-time greats Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel and the prospects of American Logan Sargeant in Formula 1 and more.

Enjoy!

Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Vida Carbon Racing Claims Its First Extreme E Title

Readers Say:

• ban3350: He's got another (F1) championship on the horizon. After a year racing that dog of a race car, Mercedes will certainly want to make up for this poor season. Max and his bosses, on the other hand, have another four years tops together with (I predict) one (more) championship during those four years—before the siren song of Ferrari comes calling. After that, Ferrari will somehow fail AGAIN to bring a championship to Maranello, as McLaren will get a 'ship with Norris, George with Mercedes and someone else from who knows where. They (Max and Ferrari) will get disgusted with one another and that will be that.

• her1482: Might be the way LH celebrates championships going forward—as an owner, and not as a driver.

Autoweek Contributor Jerry Bonkowski Says:

JB Says: While Lewis Hamilton is to be commended for having a championship-winning team, two things immediately come to my mind. First, there is no way he’s finished with Formula One. If anything, I believe Hammy will come back with a vengeance in 2023, provided Mercedes gets its act back together. Second, yes, his future definitely seems to have ownership written all over it once his driving days are over.

By winning in Extreme E, Hamilton is slowly building upward and onward, to the point where he will eventually be full- or (more likely) part-owner of an F1 team, be it Mercedes or another entity. One thing about Lewis: he is an extremely intelligent individual and does things with a mindset and gameplan that are typically well thought out—and in advance. I honestly see him being a F1 team figurehead within the next five years, once his driving days are over.

Nico Hulkenberg Cautious to Keep F1 Dreams and Goals in Check with Haas

Readers Say:

• justbob: A 35-year-old driver, basically trying to re-begin a career in F1. But unfortunately for Nico, once again his path to success in F1 is through a back marker team. Nico will be trying to prove himself racing for a team, who's entire history has been competing not to be last in the championship rather than competing for wins. Again, at 35.

Even if Nico does well. How many top tier teams will want to begin a relationship with a veteran-aged driver who normally would be contemplating retirement, but instead has yet to prove himself as a Formula 1 top driver. Yes, Nico has had some decent runs in the past and I have always liked him. Unfortunately, to me. This seems like an exercise in futility. Although it will give Nico some relevance and a nice paycheck. Dreams of glory are probably nothing more than delusions of grandeur.

• FranklinCain: Driving for Haas takes a little bit of masochism, you have to like being beaten. Other than getting him a small payday, it will be better than not racing at ll. But he is better for Haas than Schumacher who had a propensity for crashing and taking others out of the race. Hulk is right to not have much hope at Haas.

Autoweek Contributor Jerry Bonkowski Says:

JB Says: Nico missed F1 and didn’t want to put too much pressure upon himself if and when he returned. To me, driving for Haas is a perfect combination. Sure, there are expectations, but they’re nowhere near as high as if he would be driving for, say, Red Bull or Mercedes.

With Haas, Hulk can proceed at his own pace and every achievement he attains winds up being a bonus. Can he win the championship in 2023? Doubtful. But he certainly can bring Haas some increased credibility. And if the company throws more money into equipment and personnel, I would not be surprised to see Haas finish in the top 5 in the constructor’s championship.

What Daniel Ricciardo's New F1 Deal Means for Red Bull

Readers Say:

• 2r64709: Think he would be better off going to Indy. Daniel has a long record of not making great decisions. Leaving Red Bull was not smart and did not work out for him. He disappeared at Renault and was shown up at McLaren by his co-driver and could never figure out how to drive the car - and said it was the cars fault .....? By his own words –

• justbob: Daniel is probably better off not racing in 2023. If I recall correctly, he is being paid millions by McLaren, not to race. Again, If I recall correctly. There is some kind of clause that If Daniel raced in 2023, it's my understanding that it would be for free, as he would need to reimburse McLaren for his salary. Although I am not totally sure on the particulars of the McLaren contract, and could be wrong. In my opinion, for what it's worth. Daniel should stay in shape both mentally and physically as he hones his skills assisting Red Bull in their 2023 campaign. It's 2024 that should be his focus for a seat. If anything, I see the pressure now being on Checo. He now has a seven time proven winner for Red Bull waiting in the wings, if he doesn't produce. History has proven that Red Bull does not think twice about driver changes if the results are not what they expect.