Last weekend in Singapore, Kevin Magnussen was shown the black and orange flag after he damaged a front endplate in an early contact with Max Verstappen. The Haas pilot had to pit for a new nose, which was the end of his race.
Similar costly scenarios have already played out for Magnussen twice this year, at the Canadian and Hungarian Grands Prix. Even then, team boss Günther Steiner showed little understanding for showing the “fried egg” flag.
Steiner emphasized that there was never a risk that parts of the car would be lost. After the second incident in Hungary, the team even tried to explain to the members of the FIA’s technical department that even a loose endplate would still be held in place and thus pose no danger.
Steiner criticized that this message was probably not received after Magnussen collected the third black and orange flag in Singapore. “It’s frustrating because it was absolutely safe to continue,” said the 57-year-old.
Steiner is annoyed: “It’s getting boring!”
“You put up with it the first time. But in Hungary we had the same scenario. The damage was very, very similar and we showed that to the FIA. We had our composites expert with us and he explained to us what happens, what must not happen and what can happen.”
But apparently without success. “They simply didn’t learn anything from it and showed us the black and orange flag again. This is the third time and it’s getting boring,” Steiner fumed. “They’re the technical department that reports to the race director what’s safe and what’s not. Apparently they don’t know.”
When asked if he will continue to try to get his point across to the FIA, Steiner says: “I’m trying very hard. At some point we need people who understand how these cars are built. We’re not in the 1980s anymore.”
“We showed in Hungary that you can stand on the part and it doesn’t fall off. Maybe it flaps around and then we get the driver in because we lose power, but it doesn’t fall off like that. That’s what we have shown. There are materials that can do a lot more than you think.”
Haas drivers have to take a good look at themselves
However, Steiner also concedes that the problems in Singapore were basically self-inflicted, as Mick Schumacher also went without a point after suffering a puncture in a collision with George Russell. “Absolutely, and I don’t want to belittle that,” he says.
“But I think we did a good job as a team last weekend. At least we showed that we can do a good job. The car worked properly too. So everything went well, except that we didn’t have any points . In the end, that’s what counts,” says the Haas team boss.
And he sums it up: “I think we have a bit of it on ourselves – with Kevin’s touch with Max in the first round and of course with Mick and Russell. It shows that you have to learn who you should fight and who you should fight against Not.”