Final yr’s VF-23 was considerably peculiar; though it confirmed nice tempo in qualifying in Nico Hulkenberg’s management, tyre administration points plagued it within the races. The drivers acknowledged that, to make it to the top on standard methods, they needed to cease racing the automobiles round Haas and successfully pin their hopes on the whims of fortune.
This yr’s automotive is a special prospect. The group’s take a look at programme in Bahrain eschewed efficiency working in a concerted effort to get a grasp of Pirelli’s vary of tyre compounds, which has given the group far more presence within the combat over minor factors placings.
As soon as once more, nevertheless, it is Hulkenberg who has earned the lion’s share of plaudits. The German has not solely discovered stability in qualifying trim however has been capable of convert that from time to time into factors – very important, given the shortage of scoring potentialities for the lower-ranked groups this yr.
Magnussen, nevertheless, has struggled. The Dane has not been capable of faucet into the identical vein of qualifying tempo that Hulkenberg appears to seek out far more simply, and thus his races have been compromised.
His defensive efforts have both been worthy of reward or have tarnished his status, relying on who you ask, but it surely’s honest to say that they’d be rather a lot much less vital had his qualifying outcomes been as much as par.
Even in comparison with Haas’ leaner years in 2019 and 2023, Magnussen reckons that 2024’s opening third has been the “most irritating” begin to a yr he is ever skilled. When the automobiles have been poor, Magnussen may very well be depended upon to roll with the punches; now, even with aggressive equipment, he has discovered it laborious to unlock the efficiency out there.
“That is in all probability been essentially the most irritating begin to a yr I’ve ever had, it simply looks like an uphill battle on a regular basis. It isn’t clicking. Hopefully, we are able to flip issues round. Now we have a robust bundle. So we have got to make use of it.”
Picture by: Erik Junius
His Monaco crash with Perez apart, Magnussen has additionally been employed as Hulkenberg’s rear-gunner greater than he’d like. He accepted that position, not with significantly nice gusto, however nonetheless has not achieved so with any half-measures.
Serving to Hulkenberg construct a pitstop window in Jeddah cemented his efficacy in that position, even when Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon had their noses put out of joint, and the literal over-the-line defence in Miami has additionally outlined his opening eight races.
He at the least has a degree to point out for his efforts, one scored in Australia as Haas secured its first double-points end since Austria 2022, Moreover, he is outqualified Hulkenberg twice, significantly on the races when Haas did not appear to carry a lot of a candle over one lap.
But, he is additionally been eradicated in Q1 4 occasions and has but to make it to the ultimate stage as soon as – one thing Hulkenberg has achieved on 4 events in 2024.
Magnussen refuses to place this right down to luck. He’s conscious that there’s something inside himself halting progress, one thing for which he seeks a solution.
“I hate stating unhealthy luck as a result of it is a number of occasions you might have one thing to say and though issues aren’t going your means and you’re feeling such as you’re not getting fortunate, you then type of have that as an excuse.
“We have simply bought to maintain our heads cool, and keep optimistic concerning the sturdy bundle that we have now – and attempt to have it click on.”
If qualifying is the primary challenge, then let’s take a look at the variations between the 2 Haas drivers. China and Miami are the 2 obtrusive examples right here, as each featured Hulkenberg bursting onto the Q3 scene and Magnussen toiling in a failed effort to get out of Q1.
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Up for scrutiny is their Q1 deltas, and there are small variations between their respective approaches. In China, Hulkenberg used decrease gears to take the low-speed Turns 6 and 11 to get higher acceleration out of the nook, and his throttle modulation by way of Turns 7 and eight – each on the method and within the nook transition – was a case of shedding time in a single part to realize extra elsewhere. There appears to be a a lot bigger-picture method from Hulkenberg over a single lap.
Magnussen is much less constant. He spent most of his Miami Q1 lap up on Hulkenberg’s delta, carrying extra pace by way of Turns 6-7-8, though misplaced most of it by way of his upshifts. The slow-speed underpass part was neck-and-neck; Hulkenberg gained time, however this time his team-mate dropped down a gear to get a greater exit from Flip 16. As an alternative, it was all misplaced within the closing corners as Magnussen overcooked his braking level, shedding him nearly 0.3s within the course of.
If Magnussen may put all of it collectively, he’d be on Hulkenberg’s tempo with out query. He is higher at carrying extra pace by way of corners, however that fearlessness comes again to chew him too usually – and it’s remoted errors that price time somewhat than an outright lack of tempo. Maybe there is a disconnect between driver and automotive, or maybe it is one pushing the opposite too far past its bounds.
The unsentimental nature of F1 implies that, as Magnussen feels the strain to discover a answer, additional strain is positioned upon him as a wild driver market ratchets up in depth. It’s identified that Haas is contemplating Esteban Ocon for a seat in 2025, whereas Oliver Bearman is probably going up for the opposite seat which shall be vacated by Hulkenberg subsequent yr.
To keep at bay the specter of Ocon and display to Haas that he stays the correct driver for the position, Magnussen must make a breakthrough. The perfect time for that, as ever, was yesterday; the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix is the following finest alternative. Bother is, he is solely ever scored as soon as on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: in 2014, when he completed ninth for McLaren.
Magnussen at the least has continuity in his favour, one thing that Haas has largely valued in its F1 tenure. If he begins matching Hulkenberg in making Q3 appearances and constantly knocking on the door of the highest 10, all whereas managing his racecraft to make sure he does not danger a ban owing to the ten factors on his licence, he’ll put himself in a a lot better place.
It will not be straightforward, but it surely’ll be the distinction between racing in F1 in 2025 and looking out elsewhere to proceed his racing profession.
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