Haas understands its new car VF-18 better after the first pre-season Formula 1 test, team principal Guenther Steiner said after the last day of practice. Kevin Magnussen was back at the wheel of the Haas VF-18, looking to improve upon the 36 laps he logged on Tuesday (167.580 kilometers/104.129 miles). Teammate Romain Grosjean opened the first week of testing with 55 laps on Monday (256.025 kilometers/159.086 miles). Grosjean was unable to turn any more laps this week because of Wednesday’s wash out.
Magnussen wasted no time and went to work as soon as the track opened. The Haas Team worked through lunch and shortly after 1 p.m., the track was dry enough for slicks. Magnussen completed 96 laps to log 446.880 kilometres (277.678 miles). His quickest time of 1:20.317 put him fourth overall among the 15 drivers who took to the track.
Haas F1 Team’s total for the first week of testing was 187 laps and 870.485 kilometres (540.893 miles), with Magnussen accounting for 132 laps and 614.46 kilometres (381.807 miles)
“We got a lot of laps and, finally, the weather decided to behave. It was nice to feel the car and get the first touch of the car’s balance and performance. I’m looking forward to continuing the work next week. We’re happy with what we’re seeing and we have something to work with”, the driver commented.
“A solid day. I think it’s a good end to a difficult testing session. The first few days were compromised by the weather, but today we got 96 laps in. We made some progress and we understand the car a little bit better. Next week we need to start from where we are now, get better, and then work toward being ready for Australia”, Steiner added.
Nice to get a lot of laps yesterday??Can’t wait to continue the work next week with @HaasF1Team??#KM20 #F1testing pic.twitter.com/BGq3Tr4awD
— Kevin Magnussen (@KevinMagnussen) March 2, 2018
