Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu heaped praise on Kevin Magnussen after he scored his best result of the season so far in Mexico.
The Haas driver finished seventh, four seconds behind Max Verstappen, who had to serve a pair of 20-second time penalties during his pit stop.The result came one week after Magnussen lost a potential points finish at the United States Grand Prix due to an extra pit stop the team blamed on a “communication error.”
Komatsu said he was “so happy for Kevin,” who will leave the team at the end of the season and doesn’t have a drive for next year yet.
“He drove very well in Austin, but we couldn’t quite deliver on Sunday, but this weekend he had an amazing qualifying,” said Komatsu. “Today everyone delivered.
“His pace in the second stint was unbelievable, he was catching Verstappen in his Red Bull and was finishing just four seconds behind. That was probably the best I’ve seen Kevin drive, I’m so happy for him.”
Magnussen was also quick enough to prevent Oscar Piastri from catching him before the end of the race.
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Haas introduced an upgrade for its VF-24 at the previous round and Magnussen said the car’s performance was consistently strong in Mexico.
“These weekends when everything just clicks, it’s a really nice feeling,” he told the official F1 channel. “This race I was able to just push really hard and manage the tyres at the same time. I just got them into that sweet window where it just works.”
“We had a big advantage to the other midfield cars,” he added. “I just think the car had that balance where you were just able to get that next level of grip in the tyres and make it last. We put the car on-track on Friday and we basically haven’t changed it at all.”
With Nico Hulkenberg finishing ninth, Haas have tightened their grip on sixth place in the championship, extending their margin over RB, who failed to score. Magnussen is optimistic they’ll be able to keep their rivals behind until the end of the year. “It’s not always easy to score these points so I think 10 points with four races to go, it’s not comfortable yet, but it’s a really important one,” he said.
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Maisch (@maisch)
28th October 2024, 13:31
It also seems Komatsu have done a great job with the team, he seemed like a very likeable and clever person on the beyond the grid podcast.
Jere (@jerejj)
28th October 2024, 14:36
Unlikely, but who knows if Kev might even receive a late chance or offer for the remaining 2025 Sauber drive.
Just a theoretical though, but never say never, especially if he performs similarly next round.
Simon
28th October 2024, 17:28
I remember you pushing for another driver (not Magnussen) to join Sauber/Audi, so best get both sides of the fence covered. Just in case… (raised eyebrow emoji)
Jere (@jerejj)
28th October 2024, 19:36
Simon You once again have to jump at an opportunity to bother me.
@thegianthogweed I agree, but just a thought rather than anything I expect to happen anyway, especially this late.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
28th October 2024, 20:26
At least we’ve been able to confirm he meant something like this when it comes to consistency with predictions.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
28th October 2024, 20:27
But in any case I think it’s too late for magnussen to get a seat, think colapinto has more chance but also not a given.
Jere (@jerejj)
29th October 2024, 7:32
@esploratore1 Colapinto hasn’t had any chance, given everything happened too late for him regarding any 2025 drive anyway.
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
28th October 2024, 19:01
I can sory of see why Magnussen would possibly be a good choise for Sauber for one year. He does probably have higher peaks than Bottas, but they are very rare. And he is extremelly error prone and crashes very often and will surely cost a team that is struggling finantially a lot of money. Overall, I would say Bottas is certainly a more reliable and sensible choise.
OmegaWave
28th October 2024, 20:47
Does he crash often? Wrong stat. Too much contact, yes,but he is also by far the driver with the most overtakes in the current field
OmegaWave
28th October 2024, 20:44
I agree. It’s hard to point out a better option right now.
Tristan
28th October 2024, 18:20
I’m wondering if Ferrari advantage is coming from the engine again with Haas performance improvement this year.
David
29th October 2024, 8:13
Seems like the race ban has been a constructive mental reset for KMag. Too late to change his destiny though.
jenc (@jens)
29th October 2024, 19:15
I think it is the car upgrade to Austin, that suits Magnussen well
Mark Reville (@myrrve)
29th October 2024, 13:48
Magnussen would be a better option than Lawson for the second Red Bull seat next season, in my view, but how likely to happen is that ?
paulsf1fix
29th October 2024, 21:21
It depends how good they really think Lawson is and what they’re planning with Isack Hadjar (especially if he wins the F2 title, yes I know it doesn’t mean nothing any more these days. It seems)
I also think Red Bull miss teams like HRT Isack Hadjar would I think go there.
As for K-Mag joining Red Bull I’m not too sure, stranger things have and do happen in F1 so it could happen.
paulsf1fix
29th October 2024, 15:59
No disrespect to Haas but it would have been great had K-Mag caught and passed Max…..