Haas F1 has rued their fortunes after the Russian Grand Prix showed up a lack of race pace after their superb one-lap performance in qualifying.
After Kevin Magnussen qualified fifth and Romain Grosjean in eighth, both drivers believe they suffered a lack of pace in the race compared to their rivals around them and struggled to move forward.
Magnussen was passed around the outside of Turn 3 in a stunning move by Charles Leclerc and the Dane stated he simply 'pulled away' once the move was done and had to spend the entirety of the race trying to fend off both Force Indias.
"It was a tough race," said Magnussen. "We didn’t quite have enough pace – we were lacking a bit – so I found myself defending from the Force Indias, basically from lap one.
"I think we got all that we could. Leclerc was way too fast for us. He just overtook and pulled away easily. So, I think keeping the Force Indias behind was the maximum we could do.
"The pace we had yesterday in qualifying was better than the pace we had in the race today. I’m looking forward to Suzuka now.
"I think we’ll be strong there, and it’s also just a phenomenal track to drive. I think we’re all looking forward to that."
Grosjean echoed the sentiments of his team-mate after he fell down the order early on in the race after the hypersoft tyres he qualified on swiftly faded on him.
Despite the earlier issues in the race, Grosjean admits he did have fun coming back through the pack and fighting with his rivals the track.
"I was very disappointed with that," added the Frenchman. "I thought I drove a good race. I’d been struggling a bit for pace all weekend, but I felt in the race things got better. I was happy to keep Marcus (Ericsson) behind and then fight with the Renaults and overtake them.
"Then I realized I was only P11. I guess the Red Bulls started at the back, but after five laps they were already top-six. The Saubers were very fast, and the Force Indias were fast. We all just kept our positions. Unfortunately for me, two cars came by."
