Kevin Magnussen believes Haas failed to capitalise on a gamble on Wets elevating both cars into contention as it left Formula 1’s Canadian Grand Prix without points.
Magnussen trailed home in 12th place in a thrilling mixed conditions encounter at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, one position behind Haas team-mate Nico Hulkenberg.
Haas elected to start on the Wet compound at the start compared to the rest on Intermediates and the soaked track enabled Magnussen to move up as high as fourth.
However, a slow stop when he pitted to switch over to the Intermediates cost the Dane and he was also adamant that the team got the timing wrong on the crossover.
“We had one very slow pit stop and one medium slow pit stop, and I also think we pitted for Inters off from the full Wets too early,” Magnussen expressed.
“It felt like something was coming at the beginning of the race but there’s nothing to show for it.”
With both Ferrari cars and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez failing to reach the chequered flag, Magnussen lamented Haas missing out on a golden opening to land some points.
“Yeah, it didn’t feel like we got the best out of it today with all the opportunity that the race offered we didn’t seem to capitalize on that so that’s disappointing but you know we’ll review it and really try to understand it,” he bemoaned.
“Right now it’s all a bit blurry but yeah there were lots of opportunities that’s for sure we didn’t get any points so gotta look into things.”
Meanwhile, Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu concurred with Magnussen’s comments, admitting the side “wasn’t great operationally” during the race in Montreal.
“It was a pretty frustrating day unfortunately as I think we made the right choice putting both drivers on Wet tyres, that was good,” explained Komatsu
“On the last set of tyres for Kevin, the pace came back, so again it’s just frustrating that with certain parts we showed we had the speed and potential, but we just didn’t put it together for the needs of our drivers.
“Finishing just outside of the top 10, we have to regroup and go again in Barcelona, but today it wasn’t great operationally, so we need to review and make sure we improve as a race team.”
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