Kevin Magnussen says his Singapore Grand Prix weekend has been “a bit hopeless”, having lacked pace compared to Haas team-mate Romain Grosjean.
Magnussen has lagged behind Grosjean throughout the weekend at Marina Bay and dropped out in Q1 on Saturday night, only the second time this season he has fallen at the first hurdle.
Magnussen was almost a second adrift of Grosjean in Q1 and will line up from 16th place on the grid.
“It’s not only in qualifying I was missing that kind of pace,” rued Magnussen.
“I don’t really have any answers as to why I’m suddenly a second off the pace
“I mean it feels like I just don’t have the grip to go that fast.
“I don’t really know why, frustrating, this whole weekend has been a bit hopeless.
“When you have a car that is somewhat well balanced, then it can only be overall lack of grip.”
Grosjean went on to qualify in eighth place, having saved a wild moment through Turn 21 on his Q3 push lap that he felt cost him a chance at beating Force India’s Sergio Perez.
“The race is going to be super long,” said Grosjean. “The Hypersofts are doing about three laps and then you better be on Softs.
“It’ll be interesting. It’s going to be hot, there’s probably going to be a Safety Car and, hopefully, we get a good race pace and keep the fight going.”
Haas holds fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
