Joel Hutter

as of 2018 Brazilian GP

Joel Hutter is a retired Swiss GP4 OC driver formerly driving for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing in the 2018 season. A stalwart of lower GP4 OC tiers, Hutter spent time in GP2 and DTM before finally getting a chance at F1 glory with Haas in 2017.

### Humble Beginnings (2013-16)

Starting in DTM with the BMW entered Team Schnitzer, Hutter was a regular performer in his debut season and was tipped for greatness. He won his first event on the 6th attempt at Silverstone, following it up with Second place at the Nürburgring a week later. Whilst finishing weakly, Hutter had shown heavy promise early in the year and despite actually being a championship contender throughout, fell to 3rd in the standings. Nonetheless an impressive showing from the Swiss star in his debut campaign.

Continuing in DTM with Team Schnitzer for 2014, this season was to be less successful than the one prior. Despite winning in Austria, points finishes were few and far between and as a result he fell to a dismal 13th overall. 2015 was no more successful, the only highlight being a runner up spot at Silverstone where he claimed that first win 2 seasons prior. Viewing his future away from German Tourers, he set about moving to another discipline where he could hone in on his talents.

Solstice came in the form of popular GP2 outfit, Carlin. Assuming the drive, Hutter impressed with a strong podium finish in his maiden race for the team. He would take 2 further podiums that season with a best finish of second at the Austrian Grand Prix, but would fail to win and from then on, points finishes were few and far between as he failed to get a hold on the machinery.

With substantial backing and no clear candidates at the time, Hutter was able to broker a deal into F1 for 2017, with American upstart Haas F1.

### Haas F1 (2017)

Partnering experienced F1 veteran, George Roke for 2017, a season entrenched firmly in midfield beckoned. This turned out the be the case with the Haas car being a confident midfield runner but not strong enough to challenge at the top end of what has since been dubbed the Midfield Championship.

Hutter grabbed his first point in his second appearance for the team and went on to record multiple more points finishes as the season progressed. A best finish of 5th in Spain being the highlight of a solid debut season which saw him finish 14th in the standings and ahead of his more experienced teammate.

Hutter was set for another season at the American team, aiming to start to challenge at the front end of the midfield in 2018. However, what transpired at the close of 2017 would go down as one of the strangest and most controversial appointments in GP4 history.

#### **2018 Red Bull Seat Controversy**

Due to the complex nature of GP4 contracts and seats, driver choices regarding who they enter negotiations with are crucial.

Before the 2017 season began, it was known that one front running seat would be available for 2018, as Will Neller announced his departure from F1. Mercedes then decided to reshuffle their whole lineup, meaning both of the most coveted seats were up for grabs in 2018, and thus was the catalyst that sparked a multitude of different moves throughout the grid. Drivers already in top seats started to make moves to maneuver into the Mercedes reckoning, thus causing openings at other top teams. At one stage, a seat at Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull were firmly up for grabs.

Red Bull had aimed to fill their vacancy with Force India driver, Rick Yan, and the deal looked done and dusted until, on the weekend of the season ending Brazilian Grand Prix, Yan shockingly announced he had refused the move and would retire with immediate effect at the conclusion of the 2017 season. Jay McKenzie had been removed from his Mercedes seat for 2018 and was available, but had not approached Red Bull in the mid season transfer window. Neither had Julius Andersson who had finished best of the rest in 2017, but found himself completely out of a seat all together based on his negotiations.

It was clear to all that Yan's decision was both unexpected as everyone had backed the talented Chinese driver for the seat. The only driver who had thought to make an approach to Red Bull was Hutter and amazingly he was the only driver allowed and able to move to the team in 2018.

By some miracle and to severe public scrutiny, Hutter was announced as a Red Bull driver for 2018 partnering experienced world champion, Miklos Gál.

### 2018 (Red Bull)

The inquisition into how Hutter had managed to take one of 6 clear front running seats rumbled long into 2018 and not much was expected from the Swiss driver as he was viewed as not being there on merit, but pot luck.

Hutter however, surpassed all expectations as the season opened with 3 podium finishes in his opening 6 appearances for his new team and competently outperforming teammate veteran, Gál, in the process.