Palmer: Magnussen got the risk balance wrong

In Canada, Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher filled the entire third row of the grid but were unable to use their positions to score points. In a column, former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer commented on the reasons that prevented the Haas from finishing in the top ten.

The start and the first lap is the most exciting time for riders. Qualifying allows you to determine your place on the grid and have a huge impact on the final result of the weekend. However, there is a risk that all efforts immediately after the traffic lights have gone out will be in vain. But there is also an alternative option: perpetuate a high position or even make progress after a disappointing Saturday.

At the start, all the cars are together and it is at this point that the driver is most in danger in terms of incidents and possible knockout of the fight by rivals. The start could affect the entire race, which was carefully planned during the team’s morning briefing.

Today, launches are increasingly quiet as engineers have the ability to calculate everything perfectly. This basically means that the rider knows in advance how many engine revolutions to hold when the starter light goes out, what position to lower the clutch lever and how hard to press the accelerator pedal when accelerating.

In addition, it is important to assess from which position you start, who surrounds you, who your main rivals are and from whom the threat comes, which riders can take more risk and which are not worth the risk. For example, in Canada on Sunday, it made no sense for Alex Albon to stop Sergio Perez in Red Bull, who is guaranteed to overtake Williams in a much faster car.

In Montreal, the Haas drivers had the best qualifying together, but somehow they ran out of points for the fifth race in a row. This was partly because Mick Schumacher had bad luck and retired due to a mechanical defect. However, this result is also due to the fact that Kevin Magnussen fought too hard with Lewis Hamilton at the start. Simply put, he misjudged the balance between risk and potential reward.

Magnussen fought Hamilton for the second time in four races after a great qualifying session, but both times ended in disaster for the Dane. In Barcelona, ​​he squeezed a Mercedes driver too hard in Turn 4, made contact, was forced into the gravel and dropped out of the battle for points, although he started eighth. In Montreal, there was a lighter touchdown between Lewis and Kevin, but it resulted in damage to the Haas front wing endplate. Kevin was shown a black and orange flag and had to go to the pits.

In that episode Magnussen didn’t have much chance of success, the chance of contact was greater. The maneuver seemed unjustified to me.

Kevin has always been an incredibly sharp rider. I saw this with my own eyes when we were partners in 2016. Since then I enjoy watching him perform because it is interesting. You know he’s always trying to overtake and rarely going backwards.

Perhaps Günter Steiner hoped in Canada that Magnussen would withdraw in time, because contacts in the first round have already cost the team a lot of points this season. With Schumacher failing to finish in the top ten for various reasons, Haas dropped to ninth in the Constructors’ Championship despite a solid performance in qualifying and first points in Bahrain.

There is no doubt that Kevin’s re-entry has cheered the team up this year. Combined with the current car, their shape is similar to that of early 2019 or even 2018, when they regularly topped the mid-range. Magnussen reminded us of the value of mid-group teams and I’m sure his presence will help Schumacher earn points.

Despite some serious accidents in the opening races, Mick confidently managed a rain qualifying session and showed a sixth result, which can be called fantastic. While Magnussen’s overzealousness cost him points, Mick was unable to finish due to a car breakdown.

Overall, the Haas are doing well this year, earning a higher place than the ninth they currently hold. However, they have lost some excellent opportunities to earn points and those opportunities could be getting smaller and smaller as Aston Martin recovers and other teams in the mid-range improve with updates.

Haas is not a threat to Williams in the Constructors’ Championship, but they have higher ambitions and will have to put in more effort to earn points than they have this season.