It was a disappointing qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the Haas F1 Team, with Kevin Magnussen set to start twelfth and Romain Grosjean sixteenth on Sunday.
Both drivers have not shown the kind of pace that they have seen so far this year, with Magnussen feeling that the Baku Street Circuit is perhaps their least competitive so far, and he feels Sunday’s race will also be difficult for the team.
“It was a good qualifying considering our position this weekend,” said Magnussen. “It’s not been our most competitive track – perhaps the weakest track we’ve been to this year in terms of competitiveness.
“So to be P12, after penalties and all that are done, I think we should be happy with that. It’s going to be a tough race tomorrow, but I’ll do what I can.”
Team-mate Romain Grosjean was eliminated in Q1 and admitted his issues were with his tyres, with the same problem having affected him since the Russian Grand Prix. Like Magnussen, the Frenchman feels Sunday’s race will be long, but is hopeful that he can make progress from his lowly grid slot.
“I’ve been struggling with the feeling and struggling with the driving style,” said Grosjean. “The tyres are really hard to bite the track. It’s been something I’ve been struggling with since Russia – where the tyres are hard and the track is really smooth.
“I don’t get any feedback from the tyres on the grip and what’s in the corners. I need to work on that and be better in these conditions. I just didn’t find the right balance.
“It’s going to be a long race and looking at all the practices, there’s going to be a lot going on. Hopefully, we get a good race.”
