Haas suspects lack of pace rooted in altered bargeboard package

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Haas was forced to remove several aero elements of the bargeboard assembly on its VF-18 before Saturday's qualifying session, a change we may have impacted the car's downforce level at Monaco.

On Thursday, the US outfit observed that Romain Grosjean's car had lost parts of its bargeboard after running over the kerbs at the circuit's Swimming Pool complex.

The fragility of the components enticed Haas to run thereafter without a footplate element located at the front of the VF-18's floor.

Kevin Magnussen, who qualified a lowly 19th yesterday, reckoned the alteration and subsequent changed aero specification meant the car had lost part of its downforce.

“We have got a lot of damage on the circuit, riding kerbs, with the bumpy track, we damaged the floor a bit," said Magnussen.

"We have done some repairs and that could play a part. But it seems crazy to lose that much performance from that," he continued.

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The Dane admitted to be very surprised by the extent of the team's under-performance in the Principality after its strong recent showings.

"It is a bit of a shock this weekend, coming from the last weekend being so good and so competitive to being this uncompetitive and really struggling for so many different reasons," he said.

Team mate Romain Grosjean, who will line up P15 this afternoon, also pointed to the bargeboard issue as the possible culprit for Haas' lack of pace.

"We're missing quite a few parts on the floor and that cost us quite a lot of downforce," said the Frenchman.

"The bargeboards are quite complicated, they direct the airflow underneath the floor and we have to remove them because they fall apart.

"There's a lot of contact with the kerbs here and they just wouldn't last long enough."

Team boss Guenther Steiner said an upgrade package featuring strengthened components made from more layers of carbon fibre is expected to be introduced in Montreal next month.

"We have had this issue since Barcelona testing and we are aware of it," said Steiner.

"Everyone's aware this cannot happen anymore and it was designed and manufactured to a different spec. The easiest way [to increase strength] is to have more weight."

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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.