Magnussen feels 'trusted and valued' thanks to Haas atmosphere

Kevin Magnussen says the positive atmosphere surrounding Haas has been a key component of the team's improvement, but also of his own happiness.

Haas moved up the grid in 2018 during its third season in Formula 1 to finish fifth in the Constructors' standings after a good battle with fourth-placed team Renault.

There were a few mishaps over the course of the year, like the team's very costly double pit stop blunder at the opening round in Melbourne, but overall the US outfit has wised up and improved.

• Haas boss wants 'objective' perception of Magnussen

Magnussen, who outscored team mate Romain Grosjean by 19 points in 2018, enters his fifth season of Grand Prix racing this year and his third with Haas, where the Dane has found stability but also a sense of appreciation.

"Definitely it’s a much better atmosphere than I’ve ever had, because the performance is good and also I am in a quite a good place in my career," he told Autosport.

"I have security in terms of my future in the team and the team is very committed to me.

"I feel trusted and valued, so that part is very good.

"When you enjoy what you do, you become better. When you’re having fun with it, it is much easier and you do better. At least I do."

Magnussen enjoyed a high-profile entry into the sport in 2014 when he was recruited by McLaren to race alongside Jenson Button.

However, a failure to achieve certain goals - according to the Woking-based outfit - put him on the sidelines before he returned to the fray in 2016 with Renault.

But the French outfit's lack of commitment towards its driver led him to move to Haas, a decision that was followed by some heavy criticism by Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul.

And excess criticism is precisely what Magnussen hasn't experienced at Haas.

"I’ve had times in Formula 1, when it really wasn’t at all fun and everyone starts blaming each other. And the driver is very easy to blame, and then you’re out," he said.

"Where we are, it doesn’t seem like anyone is blaming each other, unless we need to sit down and talk together and say who was bad with this.

"And that is just a constructive way of improving the team, but it’s not like a blame culture at all."

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