Haas : 'Grosjean needs to be pushed - Magnussen will do it'

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Haas F1 Team boss Guenther Steiner is convinced the US outfit enjoys the best driver line-up possible with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.

While the French driver is on his second season with Haas, new recruit Magnussen has replaced Mexican Esteban Gutierrez this year.

Grosjean put in a spirited effort in qualifying, lining up sixth on Sunday's grid, but both drivers retired from the race.

In Grosjean's case, Steiner rued the missed opportunity as they may be few and far between this season given the battle set to prevail among the mid-field runners.

"He saw the speed, and I mean, everyone could see that he could keep the Toro Rossos easily away, the car has got speed," a frustrated Steiner said.

"But it's always... how many opportunities like this do you get? With such a tight midfield, it's a lost opportunity. It's disappointing, but it could be worse. We could be slow."

Steiner has no doubts however about the quality of his driver line-up.

"I feel we have the best driver pairing we can get in our position," Steiner told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

"We have two very good drivers," he added.

"Good people, good racers. Now we just need to see how good the car is, and what we can get out of it."

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In addition to their skills, Steiner also underlines the good relationship which prevails between the two drivers.

"We all know that Romain is very emotional," he said.

"Everyone can tell that from the radio communication. Kevin is much less emotional. He is Scandinavian, but as individuals they are very different as well.

"But I see no problems between the pair of them. My hope is that they will push each other," Steiner added.

Haas founder and team owner Gene Haas echoed his team manager's judgment.

"They are an interesting pairing," said the American.

"Qualifying showed that. Kevin really wanted to put in a good lap and was willing to push the car to achieve it.

"We don't know how fast he would have been because he made a mistake, but I think Grosjean needs to be pushed and I think Kevin will be able to do that," Haas concluded.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.