AUSTIN — Haas arrived in Austin hoping to placed on a great efficiency for his or her followers of their house race, the USA Grand Prix.
To date, so good.
Kevin Magnussen completed seventh, and Nico Hülkenberg got here in behind him in eighth, giving Haas a double-points outcome within the F1 Dash Race right here on the System 1 United States Grand Prix.
The group got here to Austin optimistic {that a} set of upgrades would show useful down the closing stretch, and the outcome right here within the F1 Dash Race would point out that the brand new bundle is working. Nevertheless, following the F1 Dash Race in response to a query from SB Nation, Hülkenberg famous that Magnussen was not utilizing the upgraded bundle but, and even with out it, each vehicles have been robust.
“I imply it’s very optimistic, clearly, to attain with each vehicles. However you see even not the upgraded automobile that Kevin drove goes fairly robust as nicely. So, I don’t suppose it’s an enormous issue,” stated Hülkenberg. “However we glance aggressive, so hopefully we are able to proceed that pattern.”
Now the group faces a captivating determination, whether or not to put in the upgraded bundle on Magnussen’s automobile — and have him head into qualifying with out having an opportunity to check the brand new parts — or to maintain issues as they’re.
Magnussen appeared of a cut up thoughts when talking with the media, together with SB Nation, following the F1 Dash Race.
“That’s the plan [to switch to the new specification],” stated Magnussen. “However I believe that might be conversations after the race. We assume that the improve is healthier and the info is supporting that. However it’s nonetheless form of a bit uncomfortable altering your automobile fully after two good classes like this.”
Magnussen was then requested how powerful it might be to enter qualifying later as we speak with the upgraded bundle, and the driving force outlined the tough steadiness he would face.
“Even in case you have extra downforce with the upgraded automobile, you would possibly fall out of your steadiness window, and going straight into qualifying, that’s not nice.
“So it’s a little bit of a danger I’d say, however we would like that further downforce and because the information is supporting that, I believe we’ve to.”
Haas has little time to rejoice this double-points outcome, and even much less time to decide concerning Magnussen’s VF-24, earlier than Qualifying for the USA will get underway in just below three hours.