Magnussen: Haas' biggest strength is its lack of blame culture

  • Published on 23 Jan 2019 10:00
  • comments 4
  • By: Richard Fletcher

Kevin Magnussen has said that one of Haas' biggest strengths is that it has not succumbed to a blame culture. He claims the team's positive atmosphere helps keep the staff focused without the distractions of having to defend against blame.

The Ferrari powered outfit fought a close battle with Renault in 2018 and finished fifth in the constructors' championship, in what was its third season in the sport. 

Magnussen, who joined the American squad in 2017, spoke about working for Haas: "Definitely it's a much better atmosphere than I've ever had, because the performance is good and also I am in a quite good place in my career."

Magnussen added that he hadn't always enjoyed his time in Formula 1: "I've had times in Formula 1 when it really wasn't at all fun and everyone starts blaming each other. And the driver is very easy to blame, and then you're out."

The Danish racer added that he feels secure within the team and that they are committed to him: "I feel trusted and valued, so that part is very good." He then explained: "When you enjoy what you do, you become better. When you're having fun with it, it is much easier and you do better. At least I do." 

He added that the positive attitude is a constructive way of improving the team and that their small size means they have been able to foster and maintain the right culture and the team is forced to be focused as there are only a few departments.

According to Magnussen, Haas has avoided falling into the trap where departments fight each other to get attention: "The way that Haas does is to just get a package and make the best of it. You design the rest and you go racing. It's very simple and more direct and kind of a bit easier.

He did admit that Haas still lacks some experience specifically mentioning tyre knowledge but adding that the team is improving: "We really are making progress. It's sometimes easy to forget that it's only our third year in Formula 1."

But its biggest weakness is the driver pairing. KMag is a pretty good driver, but far too rash. The raw amount of points they lost due to incidents this year was a poor display, and they need to do better. They should with all right have been ahead of Renault this year.

  • 2
  • Jan 23 2019 - 18:03

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • But its biggest weakness is the driver pairing. KMag is a pretty good driver, but far too rash. The raw amount of points they lost due to incidents this year was a poor display, and they need to do better. They should with all right have been ahead of Renault this year.

    • + 2
    • Jan 23 2019 - 18:03
    • Lack of blame culture is a big plus for a driver who so often is at fault. I think that lack of consequences for serious repeated mistakes is why Haas underachieved massibely, even with the best-of-the-rest car

      • + 0
      • Jan 25 2019 - 05:19
  • It´s a good point. I think even Haas is much less people the older and bigger teams can learn from this team how to cooperate and communicate

    • + 0
    • Jan 24 2019 - 08:46
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Haas seems to have gone for driver stability but that you get exactly what you asked for which is the old results. Romain will struggle again in 2019 in the beginning of the year for only to get better once contract talk start again. KMAG will throw points away.

    The preferred scenario would be to replace Romain with an more able driver hopefully a american or Italian. Either way I would change the line-up.

    • + 0
    • Jan 24 2019 - 15:13

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 23:20

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 23:20

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country DK
  • Date of b. Oct 5 1992 (32)
  • Place of b. Roskilde, DK
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

  • comments 70,987 comments on Haas
  • star 16 members have this team as their favourite
  • vote Tweets about Haas
Show full profile
show sidebar