P1racenews AI automatic summary:
An experienced driver’s place on the Formula 1 grid is at risk if he can’t escape a Daniel Ricciardo-McLaren style struggle, as Scott Mitchell-Malm explains
The 2023 Formula 1 season saw a surprising result in the team-mate pairing between Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg at Haas, with Hulkenberg dominating Magnussen in qualifying sessions. This was not solely due to Magnussen being a worse driver, but rather their fundamental differences in driving style. Hulkenberg handled the rear of the Haas better, while Magnussen preferred a bit of understeer for stability in braking and aggressive steering. The different driving styles led to struggles for Magnussen in slow and medium speed corners, where the car’s characteristics exacerbated the difficulty of combining braking and turning on entry. The ground-effect era and the tires also played a role in requiring a sharper mid-corner rotation, which unsettled the rear of the car for Magnussen. This situation is similar to what Daniel Ricciardo faced at McLaren, where his natural style was blunted and he struggled to adapt compared to his teammate.
