A gearbox problem with unexpected consequences for Magnussen at Imola

The weekend will unfortunately once again be forgotten for Haas F1 Team. One Romain Grosjean could only finish 14th under the checkered flag, Kevin Magnussen was forced to retire after 48 laps.

The Dane, already cut off in his momentum in the first lap after contact with the Ferrari de Sebastian Vettel, then saw the gearbox of his VF20 encounter problems, which ultimately forced him to retire, with an unexpected physical consequence.

“We also had this problem on Saturday during my best lap in qualifying, relates Magnussen. The problem returned during the race, it was there from the first lap. I had slow gear changes, plus there was like a big bang every time you shifted into gear.

It seemed ok for a few rounds, but it started shaking my head crazy. By the end I had a massive headache, which I mentioned to the team. I think they felt there was no objective, so they called me back to the pits. »

“The FIA ​​did not allow us to change the sensors without penalty (after qualifying, Editor’s note), so it went against us. » also mentions Günther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team on the subject.

Remember that the American team will change its driver duo for the 2021 season, Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen not being retained by the Kannapolis (North Carolina) team.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondent in Imola, in AUTO issue 2285hebdo, available now in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands (for a period of 15 days due to confinement).