F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Magnussen: Haas hub in Maranello benefitting US outfit

Kevin Magnussen says the office set up last year by Haas and Ferrari in Maranello has benefitted the US outfit's operations and especially the communications between its various departments.

Following the introduction of F1's budget car in 2021, Ferrari reassigned members of its personnel to a Haas hub installed in Maranello.

The office's team, led by ex-Ferrari senior designer Simone Resta, was responsible for designing Haas' new-generation VF-22 car.

While the relationship between Haas and Ferrari hasn't changed since the unit was set up in Maranello, Magnussen noticed upon his return to the team this year that the hub has helped to centralize communications which in turn has had a positive impact on Haas' operations.

©Haas

"That’s been a nice change in the team, the year I’ve been away they’ve moved," said the Dane.

"It’s a bigger group now in Maranello, I think that helps communication between the different departments, just being able to go and talk to each other.

"Our team for all those years have been spread out over the world: in the US; and then two places in Italy and one in England, so very spread out.

"And I think in terms of communication, it makes it easier when you can just go to mate’s desk and have a chat.

"So, it’s better, and it’s also grown, and we have more people and it feels better. And, of course, the car shows that too. So it’s in a good place Haas are pointing."

Haas' close ties and technical collaboration with Maranello has often been frowned upon by its rivals.

But earlier this year, team boss Guenther Steiner made clear that his team's relationship with Ferrari isn't less regulated because Haas now has an office on the Scuderia's campus.

"The relationship I would say hasn't changed dramatically, we've always had a good relationship," Steiner said.

"The relationship is also regulated by the FIA's rules. You cannot do more just because we are sitting in Maranello

©Haas

"But the relationship, the collaboration hasn't changed [for] better or worse. It's very much the same. It's just now we are sitting inside Maranello with a large group of people.

"We always had people in the wind tunnel office, because we have got two offices now in Maranello, one in the wind tunnel and one where the designers and the aerodynamicists are in the week.

"But when we are in the wind tunnel session, we always had an office that our people could sit down in and not have to stand around just in the control room of the wind tunnel."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

12 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

13 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

15 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

16 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

18 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

19 hours ago