Haas drivers do like sprint races: 'The pressure is on right away'

Do F1 drivers like the sprint weekend or not? It is common knowledge that a section of drivers are not that happy with the FIA's format, including Max Verstappen. That sentiment is not recognisable at Haas. "I’m looking forward to another Sprint. I like Sprint events, there’s more stuff happening throughout the weekend and the pressure is on straight away after the first practice," says Kevin Magnussen, who finds support from his teammate. "I’ve done it once in Baku now, it’s much more intense because from the first practice session, it’s much more meaningful, so it definitely felt more intense," stated Hulkenberg.

Haas loves Austria

Still, the approach remains the same as every weekend, says the German:"We’ll be professional and try to get something out of it." And the past proves that Haas always has chances in Spielberg. In 2018, the team achieved its best ever result among the mountains, finishing fourth and fifth. Last season too, the Americans and were once again in a good position, with both drivers qualifying in the top eight. "I don’t know why we’ve been strong here over the years that I’ve been with Haas, but it’s a fun circuit.," Magnussen says.

His German teammate is also appreciative of the Red Bull circuit. "It’s a scenic route into the track, and it’s very green. It’s one of the shortest, if not the shortest track we go to with just over one minute per lap, but it’s a technical and challenging track so it doesn’t mean it’s an easy circuit."