In the first qualifying session of the new Formula 1 season, the Haas team made everyone sit up and take notice. Kevin Magnussen even made it into Q3 on his comeback and was able to qualify seventh on the grid. For teammate Mick Schumacher it was only enough for twelfth place.
When asked about the qualifying result, the German was disappointed. “We had a car that could definitely get into Q3, so it’s a shame I didn’t make it. But luckily I have 22 tries left.”
Schumacher is looking for the reason for the poorer performance in third free practice. “It started with a pretty turbulent session this morning. Unfortunately, I took that with me into qualifying, so I’m not entirely happy with today.”
First Formula 1 points as a goal for the race
He also says that “a feeling that just didn’t fit” crept into the car and that’s why he made “a few mistakes here and there”, like on his last lap in Q2.
As a goal for the race, he sets himself his first Formula 1 points. “I think that’s possible at the moment. If we have a good strategy, we should be in a realistic position where we can do it,” hopes Schumacher.
The emotional state of the teammate is very different, who speaks of an “incredible roller coaster ride” in the past few weeks. In the end, Magnussen was even able to beat George Russell in the Mercedes in Q3, despite problems with the hydraulics. The Haas team actually thought that they couldn’t go out again.
Magnussen “overjoyed” but worried
“It’s unbelievable. I’m overjoyed,” beams Magnussen in an interview with “Sky”. “Obviously you hope the car is good, but after testing you never really know. I’m definitely hungry. I just feel so lucky to be here in this situation, with a good car in F1. “
The Dane looks to the race with confidence but worries about the reliability of the VF-22. “When you start from 7th place, of course points have to be the goal. The biggest concern is reliability, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed that everything goes well.”
Magnussen’s long run times in the second free practice session were impressive, but “of course you don’t know what the others did with their engines and fuel,” said the Haas driver. “But it definitely wasn’t a bad long run.”
Steiner: Magnussen just about crossed the finish line
He also mentions that Haas team boss Günther Steiner made no promises to him before his comeback. “He just told me that they think they have a decent car, but he didn’t promise anything.”
Team boss Steiner is relieved after qualifying and indicates that Magnussen could have done even better due to the hydraulic problem. Magnussen’s car lost hydraulic fluid, which is why he had to stop after crossing the finish line.
“In the end we ran out of hydraulic fluid and then the power steering, the gearshift and the clutch no longer worked. That’s why we just about managed to cross the finish line,” explains Steiner.
Steiner: “Would have been more”
He too is hoping for a good result in the race thanks to Magnussen’s good long run on Friday. “We hope that we can keep up and maybe even move up a bit.”
In addition, the new Haas bolide seems to have further potential, since the problems during the test drives only really “came to testing” on this race weekend. “I therefore believe that there is still more in the car and there will also be more in the drivers,” said Steiner.
When asked jokingly whether you can’t skip the testing if things are going so well in qualifying, Steiner laughs: “That would save us money and nerves, wouldn’t it?” The Tyrolean is now optimistic about the upcoming season: “It will be an exciting year for us.”