Magnussen looking 'to get everything out of it' in Brazil

©WRI2

Kevin Magnussen heads to Brazil hoping to keep up the momentum he built in Mexico where the Haas driver enjoyed a great run in to the points.

After a drive labeled as 'fantastic' by team boss Guenther Steiner, Magnussen said his P8 finish, achieved after holding Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, felt like a win.

Ten days later, that feeling still hasn't dissipated for the Danish driver.

"It’s really tough in Formula 1 and car performance plays a massive part in what result you’re going to get," he says.

"After the poor qualifying we had, it showed we weren’t quite on top of the performance, and we didn’t think we were going to get points.

"On Sunday we delivered – almost over-delivered – to finish eighth and get those four points."

Steiner supportive of new engine rules

Magnussen's performance in Mexico City provides himself and Haas with the perfect lead-in for next weekend's penultimate round of the F1 season.

"It's still a huge battle in the mid-field, with Toro Rosso, Renault and Haas separated by a handful of points as they all gun for that coveted sixth place in the Constructors' standings.

"The result on Sunday showed that you should never give up, no matter what has happened leading up to the race.

"You can always over-perform and get something out of it, even if it looks bad. It shows what the team is made of.

"It’s only one point now to Renault for seventh in the constructors championship, and it’s only six points to Toro Rosso.

"It’s extremely close and anything can happen in these last two races. We just need to be on top of everything and get everything out of it that we can. It’s not going to be easy.

"Those teams are doing well and they’re tough competitors."

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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.