Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Silverstone, 2018

Haas concerned Hockenheim’s final sector will expose its slow corner weakness

2018 German Grand Prix

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Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner is concerned the slow final sector at the Hockenheimring will expose a weakness of their VF-18 chassis.

“We are a little bit worried about the tight sector of Hockenheim as it’s very slow,” Steiner admitted.

The team has tended to perform better at quick circuits like the Red Bull Ring this year, but struggled on slower circuits such as Monaco.

“For sure the car is more competitive on high-speed corners,” said Steiner. “It’s actually very competitive on high-speed corners.

“We’ve had some issues on the slow-speed tracks. Let’s see what we can do on Friday to set the car up to get over our deficiencies on the low-speed portions. Maybe we’ll find a little bit of speed there and still be competitive.”

Steiner said the car’s superior performance on quick tracks is due to decisions the team made during its design.

“The majority of the race tracks are not low speed, so our aero people didn’t focus too much on that one, but more on the tracks where the majority of the races are held,” he said. “Aerodynamically, the car is better on high-speed corners.”

The team expects fuel conservation will be a factor at the Hockenheimring, Steiner added. “We [will] have to do some lift-and-coast, but everyone is in the same boat.

“That’s something you sometimes have to do anyway to save a little bit with your tyres. But on these high-power circuits, we do have to do some lift-and-coast. All four engine manufacturers are very similar in this regard, so it’s nothing special, but it’s still something we need to look after.”

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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21 comments on “Haas concerned Hockenheim’s final sector will expose its slow corner weakness”

  1. Slow corners is no problem compared to the most important concern, which is Grosjean spoiling Magnussens and the teams chances once again. I hope Steiner and Haas – in clear sentences – has ordered him to keep away from Magnussen and lift his right foot, if there is any danger of a crash.

    Grosjean still drives like he has stolen the car and is on drugs like the stupid guys in a youtube police chase. Come on.

    1. @racefan, the stewards suggested that it was more of a case of Grosjean and Magnussen turning into each other as they tried to avoid an incident in front of them – so, rather than blaming just Grosjean, it sounds more like both drivers misjudged the situation and contributed to the collision.

      1. I’m sure Grosjean will be sacked if does something similar once more. The stewards remarks is not relevant to judge Grosjean’s driving in his own team. I’m sure you are aware of that fact.

        It’s very simple. If he can’t stay clear of his teammate in front of him, he is not qualifyed to his job. Every time Magnussen is directly in front of him, he panics like a spoiled child.

      2. No – this is just how situations often are judged when only team mates is involved…

    2. Amen !

  2. Considering that this year’s Haas is based on the 2017 Ferrari SF70-h, they shouldn’t be struggling in slow corners because last year’s Ferrari was the best car for slow corners. But then, there are numerous design changes that may have taken that characteristic away.

    1. @lebz last year Ferrari was a very short wheel base… this haas isn’t.. it might look identical but they are indeed different cars, that’s the first big change they did, along with many aero tweaks

    2. @lebz nope, no it isn’t. Not anymore than it is based on Mercedes / Renault / red bull etc

      They parts share with Ferrari as within the rules, but the chassis and majority of design is Haas or Lola who they outsource development to.

      1. Oh okay, I understand. Thanks for informing me.

      2. Haas chassis come from dallara not lola.

      3. @captainpie, as formevic notes, Haas’s chassis is manufactured by Dallara, not by Lola Cars – Lola Cars went bankrupt six years ago.

        1. I met her on track down in old Melbourne,
          Where you drink VB and it tastes just like chilled-down urine,
          P-I-S-S, Urine
          She went through the chicane and she nearly pranced
          So I asked her name and in a bright red voice she said “I’m a Haas”
          H-A-A-S, a Haas

          Well, I’m not the world’s most insightful guy
          But when she took the corners she truly handled real fine, not a Lola
          La-la-la-la Lola
          Well, I’m not dumb but I can’t understand
          Why she walk like a Dallara but talk like a Ferrari.
          Lola L – O – L – A Lola
          You can tell she’s not a Lola.

          Apologies to The Kinks (AKA Turns 11 and 12)

        2. Maybe there is some confusion because HAAS did buy quite a bit of Lola equipment when it closed down.

  3. For some reason, I can already see in my mind Grosjean crashing in the race with his commemorative French helmet of two stars.

  4. Let’s give GRO some slack.I would think that he has been told that he has to contribute by taking points rather than by trying to get MAG in the first corner to prove himself. At least that’s the way to show the team he’s worth his wages beyond this season.

  5. This is fun. Ideally we would have nuances where one team is faster in first sector, second in second sector and third in third sector.

    Where one driver would be overtaken in the slow stuff and then claw it back in the fast corners. Wish we had some of that.

  6. Tomorrows headline

    “Haas concerned Hockenheim’s barriers will expose Grosjeans fondness of crashing into them”

    1. That gave me a smile on my face :)

  7. Richard (@)
    17th July 2018, 20:25

    With all fairness to Mr. Grosjean it should be noted that his last DNF was not caused because he crashed but, rather because another driver drove into him .
    He has had a terrible season to date but, let us at least give him what is due and the last accident was not his fault . I do believe that everyone who analyzed the incident concluded that Carlos Sainz was to blame .

    1. Think rather its his no. of crashes… no matter what he do he is involved in a crash or some bad behaviour… can’t be bad luck any longer…

  8. One of Haas problems is that Steiner is too soft to say to Grosjean that next time you crash into someone (or something!) you are fired.
    And dont try to force your teammate out of track again – because over a whole season he is much faster (and consistent) than you has ever been.
    Period!!

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