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

Published on 23 Jan 2019 10:00
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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."

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

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.

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Jan 23 2019 - 18:03

F1 News Kevin Magnussen Haas

Replies (4)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
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.
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- Jan 23 2019 - 18:03
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  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
humbleridderen

Posts: 3
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