Tenacious Grosjean and Magnussen rake in points for Haas

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Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen delivered in Brazil a double-points finish to Haas for the fourth time this season, consolidating the team's fifth-place position in the Constructors' standings.

The collective effort was built on different tyre strategies but yielded a close finish between the two cars, with Grosjean outpacing his team mate by just over 1.5s at the checkered flag as the pair finished P8 and P9.

The Frenchman got involved in a tussle with Sauber's Marcus Ericsson at the start, a contact that slightly damaged the VF-18 and impaired its speed for the remainder of the afternoon.

"I’m very happy, and very happy for the team," Grosjean said.

"With the damage we had on the car following lap one, I’m impressed. We lacked about a second of downforce on the car.

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"Being able to do those lap times, I think we did an amazing job on the setup. I’m very happy with that.

"I think without that, being best-of-the-rest would’ve easily been on our side. I’m happy we finished eighth and ninth," he added.

"Even if we’re far from Renault in the points, double-points finishes in the two last races would be amazing going into the winter."

Haas, despite outpacing Renault in Brazil, remains 24 points behind the French outfit, a gap which all but seals this year's midfield battle.

Magnussen also endured a busy opening lap, running wide at Turn 4 as he battled the slow-moving Ericsson before settling in to the groove.

"It was tough luck on the first lap," commented the Dane.

"I made a good start and I got through turns one and two very well. Then I was pushed out on turn four and I lost a few positions there.

"I had to get those positions back and close the gap to Romain again. We stayed put from there. I’m happy for the team to get a double-points finish again.

"It’s good to bounce back from the tough luck we experienced yesterday when I didn’t really qualify where I should have. We did some damage limitation. I’m happy we leave with points."

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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.