Source: RacePictures.com

F1 News

Haas reveal Magnussen had damage during qualifying

Haas reveal Magnussen had damage during qualifying

24-11-2018 19:40
Author profile picture

Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed that his driver Kevin Magnussen had a damaged car during his qualifying stint in Abu Dhabi, as the Dane was over a second slower than his teammate Romain Grosjean, who finished best of the rest.

The American team will still be hoping for a miracle so they can finish fourth in the constructors' championship, but the 24-point deficit to Renault seems like a near-impossible gap to close. Haas will have to finish on the podium with one car and close to the podium with other. With Magnussen starting from P13, that seems out of the realm of possibilities.

Still, despite the Dane's poor qualifying, there are plenty of positives to take from Saturday's qualifying. Grosjean was lightning-quick and left all other midfield cars behind him.

READ: Grosjean best of the rest in "best lap of career"

Steiner just hopes for both cars to finish in the points on Sunday, which would be a positive way to end a great season for the American team.

“We had one in and one out for final qualifying," Steiner summarised to F1i.com.

"We were hoping to have both cars up into Q3 today. The cars were obviously fast."

One of them was much quicker than the other, though. The reason for this was floor damage.

"Kevin had an issue with his car," Steiner revealed.

"It was losing water pressure and it damaged the floor.

"Romain did a fantastic job on his lap. I don’t think there was a lot more in it. Qualifying seventh for the last race of the year is good for the whole team.

"The car is fast, so I think Kevin can make some ground up tomorrow. Hopefully, we can get both cars in the points."