Formula 1: Guenther Steiner: Haas still aren't over Romain Grosjean-Kevin Magnussen spat

Haas

Steiner: Haas still aren't over Grosjean-Magnussen spat

They collided at the British GP.

Martin Macdonald

Thursday 25 July 2019 14:40

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner claims he and his team are still “not over” the incident between Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen from the British Grand Prix which saw the team-mates collide on the track.

On the very first lap at Silverstone, the pair’s cars came together, causing enough damage that both drivers had to eventually retire from the race altogether.

Steiner was apoplectic after the incident, which cost the team another opportunity to claim points, which they haven’t recorded since Monaco. With the German GP coming up this weekend, it seems the Haas boss hasn’t forgiven his charges yet.

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“I’m still not over it, because you have got a certain amount of opportunities, and obviously this year we are struggling in some of the races,” he said.

“I could now say the car would have been fantastic, which is not true, but on Friday it was a lot better on long runs, if you compare them it was factual.

“Again, if it would have been the same in the race 100 percent I cannot say but the chances were high. And then you go out on Turn 5 and we are P9 in the championship, and I think our position does not reflect where we are in reality.

“We have got these big ups and downs, and when we have got ups, we put ourselves down one way or another, so that is quite frustrating.

“I can do a lot but I think they need to understand where we are. That’s the disappointing thing for me.

“They don’t let me down as a person, they let the team down which is disappointing. Like I say I’m still not over it.

El enésimo golpe entre Grosjean y Magnussen llegó en Silverstone. Y Steiner no puede más: 'Ambos pilotos están en peligro'. #F1 pic.twitter.com/FHV7O8EwuV
— F1Live24 (@F1Live_24ES) July 16, 2019

“Normally I get over things pretty quick, but this one, because we had a clear talk after Barcelona about what to do and what not to do, and it wasn’t followed, which is disappointing.”

Steiner insists he will talk to both drivers again about their conduct ahead of the race at Hockenheim, but refused to lay blame on one individual driver, instead saying both were at fault.

“Yes I think it is equal because my instructions from Barcelona were quite clear even if the guy has gone back he will be put forward again so that should have taken that question out,” he added.

“Otherwise you are sitting around the table forever and you never end up at 100% to 0%, it is always 70-30 or 60-40 and then you discuss and discuss and never get a conclusion.

“Instead of having that I said let’s do it like this. We look afterwards and if the guy lifted which was right then he will then move forward if needed.”