Grosjean: Haas back in pre-season tyre window
Haas’ tyre troubles, or in this case lack thereof, continue to make headlines with Romain Grosjean saying it is “a bit sad” that all the talk is about tyres.
Haas is one of the teams that has struggled with their tyres throughout the opening four races of this season.
While the American outfit has qualified well, they haven’t found the perfect operating window over longer distances.
That, though, looked to have changed on Friday in Spain.
Romain Grosjean was best of the rest for Haas, less than a second slower than pace-setter Valtteri Bottas, while Kevin Magnussen was two-tenths behind his team-mate.
“It just went in from the beginning, went back into the window we found in winter testing,” Grosjean told RaceFans.net.
“Obviously we haven’t been crazy, we know where the window is, it’s just how do we get in.
“It’s narrow, it’s small, it’s difficult to achieve, it’s a bit sad that the only talking point on Monday is who got the tyre to work and who didn’t.
“But I guess it’s the way it is.”
Sliding between the two Red Bulls on Friday, Grosjean is optimistic about his chances of taking the fight to the Honda-powered team.
“I’m feeling optimistic,” he told Formula1.com.
“I feel like we’ve got a good chance to qualify both cars in the top 10 and even maybe play with Red Bull.
“I think we’re in the mix with them. So we’ll dream big, and let’s see where we go.
“Saying that, [Red Bull] always seem to find something in qualifying, but I think we’ve got more coming as well.
“Let’s see. Tomorrow could be a good day.”
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