'Pointless' Monaco GP couldn't end soon enough for Magnussen

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It was a long and painful Sunday for Kevin Magnussen in Monte Carlo, and one that couldn’t end too soon as far as the Dane was concerned.

Haas' severe level of under-performance left the US outfit and its drivers struggling just to keep up with the tail-enders, let alone fight for points as has been the case since the start of the season.

Aerodynamic problems coupled with tyre issues put both Magnussen and team mate Romain Grosjean on the backfoot from the outset last weekend.

Magnussen happy at Haas - but willing to look at top teams too

The Dane for one was happy to see it all end.

"I was just waiting for my brakes to overheat or for my engine to overheat," he admitted.

"It was a pretty pointless race for us, but we're moving on and we're looking forward to Canada to put some new parts on the car and get back in our normal shape, and get back in the fight for points.

"The car that we had this weekend is not representative of what we should have. I’m just glad we’re out of here, and I can’t wait to go to Montreal and get back into the fight."

Asked if the team's dismal performance in Monaco was a one-off, Magnussen felt confident it was.

"We can never guarantee that we won't have bad races, but I think this was a particularly bad one. The first five races were good, especially performance-wise, so I'm positive that we can do well.

"Everyone on the team deserves that. We’re moving on."

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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.