Magnussen set for 150th race as Haas boss urges race pace focus

Popular Dane Kevin Magnussen is set to celebrate his 150th Formula One start at Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix with Haas team chief Guenther Steiner urging him to focus on race pace. 

Magnussen and Haas have struggled in recent races and are level on points with midfield rivals Alfa Romeo as they head to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

“We need to do work on our race pace and really do our best,” Steiner said.

“Everything is so close – there’s a lot of midfield competition and all within just a few tenths.”

Magnussen, who has performed consistently overall since returning to Haas last year, despite a drop-off in the second half of last season, said he is grateful for his opportunities in Formula One. 

“It’s great for me to have had such a long time in Formula One,” he said.

“As a small kid, I was always dreaming of racing in F1 sometime and to have reached this milestone – and all these years in the sport, I am really grateful.”

This weekend’s Canadian race gives the American-owned team a chance to perform in front of many of their own fans and marks Nico Hulkenberg’s first return to Montreal in four years. 

Steiner said he has been satisfied with the German’s impact on the team and on Magnussen this year. 

But he was less forthcoming on his own future after being in charge of Haas since their debut in 2016. 

“I don’t have long-term plans,” he told the F1 Nation podcast.

“But I am comfortable at this moment. I love what I am doing and so I keep on doing it. 

“But one day I will just say ‘I’m not doing this anymore’ and that is when Guenther will stop!”