Magnussen 'screwed' by safety car

Kevin Magnussen was left to bemoan the timing of the safety car after being 'screwed' at the Australian Grand Prix.

Haas endured a difficult weekend in Melbourne after enjoying a positive start to the season with the team failing to score for the first time this year.

After back to back Q3 appearances in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at the first two events since returning to the sport, Magnussen was eliminated in the opening phase of qualifying and started just 16th, one place behind team-mate Mick Schumacher.

But after recovering positions in the early stages of the race, the Dane was left cursing the timing of an early safety car period having started on hard Pirelli tyres.

"If we had started, say, top 12, we wouldn't have done the other strategy, starting on the hard," explained Magnussen.

"We would have started on the medium then the race would have been good for us.

"What happened with the safety car in the first stint of the hard runners, that just screws you. Tough luck but better luck next time."

With the high speeds of Saudi Arabia, Magnussen had struggled with his neck but these problems were avoided last weekend at Albert Park.

He added: "This track is a little easier, also a tough one but strength is also coming back. I felt ok, tired still but ok."

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