Month: June 2019

2019 Austrian Grand Prix

Kevin Magnussen finished fifth in qualifying, a blistering rate for the Haas car. He was given a five grid place penalty for an engine change, so he started 10th. His teammate, Romain Grosjean started 11th.

By the end of lap 2, Kevin Magnussen was still in 10th. Grosjean dropped 4 spots and was down to 15th. By lap 9 the Haas cars started to drop off. By lap 17 Kevin Magnussen was in dead last and Grosjean had dropped to 16th.

The problem for Magnussen was twofold. First of all, his car was past the line in his grid box. That required a pit lane pass through penalty. But the other problem, which effected both Haas cars were the tired. The tires on the Haas cars were developing a burnt crust on the outer layer of their tired. The inside of the tires were not heating up, and the cars were not performing.

The Austrian Grand Prix was a 71 lap race around the 2.7 miles Redbull ring. Lap 35 was the mid way point, and found the Haas car of Grosjean in 16th, and Magnussen in 19th positions. That is where the pair would finish.

The race was won by Max Verstappen in his Red Bull. The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc was the car to beat all weekend . He was fastest in practice, and started the race on pole. Leclerc lead the race until lap 69, when max Verstappen lunged in a huge racing move to take the lead. Valtteri Bottas would take the third step of the podium… ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

For the Haas squad… the performance is difficult to accept. Obviously the team is doing everything that they can. The overheating of the tires is on the team; the drivers cannot overcome that difficulty. But I’m not to sure Grosjean is not facing other difficulties. Race after race he continues to lose positions on the first lap. These are positions he never gets back. The die is cast for 2019. I think it is time to start thinking about 2020…..

Next, Silverstone, and the British Grand Prix.

2019 French Grand Prix

The Haas F1 Team is in a rut, and the stink is starting to get bad. The team scored no points in Canada, a single point at Monaco by Grosjean.

The French Grand Prix did not fail to meet expectations. Romain Grosjean made an error on his final hot lap of Q1 and finished qualifying in 17th position, out of 20 drivers. Kevin Magnussen passed into the second qualifying round, but finished at the back of that group, 15th. Lewis Hamilton took pole and Valttari Bottas was 2nd; another Mercedes front row lock out. Charles Leclerc started 3rd in his Ferrari and Max Verstappen 4th in his Redbull. Sebastian Vettel was down in 7th position.

By the end of the first lap of the race Romain Grosjean had lost two positions and was down to P18, Magnussen was +1 and up to the 14th spot, dropped to last on lap 17 when he pitted. He would never recover. Grosjean pitted on the 33rd lap and rejoined the field one spot ahead of his teammate . The Haas cars were P17 and P18, only ahead of the two Willaims of George Russel and Robert Kubica.

Romain Grosjean dropped out of the race on lap 48 of the 53 race distance. Magnussen will finish in 14th.

Formula 1 is becoming painful to watch.

2019 Canadian Grand Prix


The 2019 Canadian Grand Prix will go down in history as one of the most controversial races in a long time. 

The race was won by Ferrari driver Sebestain Vettel. But the win was handed to Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton after Vettel was handed a 5 second penaly on lap xx for an unsafe entry after cutting turn x and skidding across the grass and into hamilton’s racing lane. Everyone from Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansel, Jensen Button, Sky F1 analysys martin Mrundel, Karun Chandhok, Leigh Diffy, David Hobbs are among those who have called the stewards ruling incorrect. 

It seems that any of the other facts from the race are meaningless.  When Mario Andretti and Nigel Mansel both agree with your opinion regarding a Formula 1 racing, you’re on solid ground. 

But regarding the race…

Kevin Magnussen was the only Haas Car to make it to the third round of qualifying, but he kissed the wall of champions in the closing moments of Q2. As the rear of his car bounced off of the wall, the car spun around and hit the wall on the opposing side of the track. The qualifying session ended under the red flag created by the accident. Kevin Magnusssen was not injured. His crew was able to rebuild his car and he started the race from the pit lane, 20th position. He finished 17th. 

Romain Grosjean”s qualifying session was interrupted by Magnussen’s crash. As a result, Romain Grosjean did not get out of the second qualifying session and started 14th. He lost 4 positions on the race start when Alexander Albon’s Toro Rosso lost it’s front wing in a three wide converging incident. Grosjean would finish 14th. Both Renults finished in the points as Ricciardo and Hulkenberg finished 6th and 7th respectfully for a total grab of 14 points. Lance Stroll scored two points in the home grand pris for himself and Racing Point. And Dany Kvyat rounded off the scoring with 1 point in his Toro Rosso.

At one point in the race Kevin magnussen declared that it was the worst experiences he’s ever had in a racing car. One can only assume that his car could have used some adjustments on the setup. 

With this race behind us it is back to Europe for the French Grand prix on June 23rd. This will be Romain Grosjean’s home race. He will be anxious to perform for his home crowd. Let’s hope he can provide a good result along with his teammate. Well see you then!