Frustrated Steiner says Haas just 'cannot catch a break'

Haas boss Guenther Steiner is growing increasingly frustrated with the misfortunes that have left his team lingering at the lower end of the Constructors' standings.

Before the season got underway Haas was projected to lead the mid-field battle based on its pre-season form.

While the US outfit's 2019 contender has shown indisputable speed, with its drivers claiming the VF-19 is the fourth-best car on the grid, chronic tyre issues and circumstances have dogged its performance and results.

Last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix was but the latest installment in the team's troubled saga.

• Haas set-up flop led to Magnussen radio rant, and apology

Kevin Magnussen crashed in qualifying on Saturday and was never a contender for a spot among the top-ten on race day, while Romain Grosjean endured a hectic first lap and struggled for pace thereafter, finishing his day a lowly P14.

"We cannot catch a break," said a discontented Steiner.

"It was one of those disastrous weekends, it started in Q2, and didn't finish.

"The only thing we can do is regroup and try to do better next time around. There must be an end to it.

"I think there is a point where you can't get more annoyed - I wouldn't say even depressed, because you don't get depressed - but there must be an end, there must be an upward trend somewhere, because you cannot get any worse. I hope that point comes soon."

Steiner insisted that Grosjean's first lap troubles were no excuse for his driver's poor showing which the Haas team principal attributed mainly to his car's lack of consistency.

"It was up and down, his pace," added Steiner. "A few laps it was going, then it wasn't going. It was completely all over the place.

"It isn't like if he wouldn't have had that [first lap problem], we would have finished in the points anyway. Maybe closer to 11th or 12th."

For the second year running, Grosjean is suffering a dismal first quarter in his campaign. Yet the Frenchman feels he's performed to the best of his ability this year.

"It wasn't easy last year at this point," said Grosjean. "[This year] I think I've done everything I could.

"Obviously there are bits and pieces you can improve, [crossing] the pit exit line in Monaco could have been avoidable, but generally I think I'm driving quite well.

"Qualifying hasn't been my strongest this year - surprisingly as normally it's something I'm good at - but the race pace is pretty good."

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