More to come from Magnussen and Haas, says Steiner

Magnussen was only signed as replacement for Nikita Mazepin less than a fortnight ago, having not driven an F1 car since his stint with the team ended in 2020.

Despite the minimal time to prepare, though, Magnussen has instantly got up to speed and has qualified an impressive seventh for F1’s 2022 season opener.

But rather than believe he and the team have exceeded expectations, Steiner thinks things are only just getting started – and reckons Magnussen still has plenty of room to improve.

Making reference to how it took a number of drivers – like Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel – six or seven races to adjust to new teams last year, Steiner feels things can only get better for Magnussen too.

“Can you imagine what he's doing in six or seven races, if he's like all the other drivers,” said Steiner. “Just imagine that!

“I think he came back in a good form, but I would say I'm honestly convinced that there's more to come.

“You cannot sit in these F1 cars and be at 100 percent straight away. It's not going to happen, so there'll be more to come.

“Therefore, I'm very optimistic also, looking forward, for the whole team. With Mick [Schumacher], he will learn to fight now at this level, which is a different level than he was last year, and Kevin will up his game because he just gets in the tune again.”

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1, in the team principals Press Conference

Photo by: FIA Pool

Haas’ step forward for 2022 comes after it sacrificed development of last year’s car completely to focus on the new car.

Asked if he had anticipated such a jump though, Steiner said: “I was hoping for this, expecting it. That is what we worked for and I always said in 2022, we will be back. And actually we