Kevin Magnussen admitted he was “praying to God” that his car would not “blow up” after picking up an issue at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Dane revealed he suffered an engine issue in the opening stages of the Grand Prix which left him nervous.
He said it was not the first time the issue had developed this season, suggesting Haas have a hidden defect to get on top of. Magnussen explained: “I had an engine issue, a slight issue that didn’t make me feel too good because I was very nervous that it would blow up.
“It’s not the first time this year but there was good pace in the car and even with that slight misfire every time I went on the throttle, it was still fast and I was able to still score points.” When pushed on what the issues were and how they affected him, Magnussen admitted he was “praying” the car would make it to the end of the race in one piece.
He added: “I don’t know. About 15 laps in I started getting it and it was just then every time I went on the throttle in very low revs.
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The part was blamed for Magnussen’s failures at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix. Mick Schumacher also suffered similar failures in Monaco and later on in Canada.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said he was “surprised” about Ferrari’s failures this season. He added: “I was a bit surprised, also because in the first five races everything was going quite well.
“The tests were good too, then suddenly the problems started. So yes, I was taken a little by surprise. If Mattia had any explanation, they would have solved the problems already.
“They are looking into the matter because, as disappointing as it is for us, it is perhaps even more so for them, given the fact that they are fighting for the championship.”
