Haas F1 Team Confirms High Brake Temperatures Led to Magnussen’s Dramatic Crash at Mexico GP

In a revealing update, Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner has pinpointed high brake temperatures as the cause of Kevin Magnussen’s significant crash during the Mexican Grand Prix. This incident led to Magnussen’s early exit from the race after a suspension failure on his VF-23 car.

Key Takeaways:

• Rear Suspension Failure: The crash occurred due to a rear suspension failure, specifically a left rear track rod failure under load at Turn 8. This failure was attributed to unexpectedly high brake temperatures.
• Magnussen’s Immediate Response: Following the crash, Magnussen was able to exit the vehicle as smoke emerged from the crash site. He was then examined at the medical center and found to be fit, despite indications of hand discomfort.
• Pre-Crash Warnings and Aftermath: Moments before the crash, Magnussen was advised about controlling his brake temperatures. Post-crash TV footage showed a fire starting near the left rear of the car. Magnussen himself noted a loss of grip in the rear left before the suspension ultimately failed.

In a dramatic turn of events during the Mexican Grand Prix, Haas F1 team’s Kevin Magnussen was forced out of the race on lap 32 due to a significant crash. This incident, as clarified by team boss Guenther Steiner, was caused by unusually high brake temperatures leading to a failure in the rear suspension of Magnussen’s VF-23 car.

The crash was particularly alarming as it occurred at Turn 8, a challenging section of the track. Magnussen, who was under considerable pressure during the race, experienced a left rear track rod failure when his car was under load. This mechanical issue led to an abrupt and severe crash into the barriers.

Fortunately, Magnussen was able to extricate himself from the vehicle as it began to smoke, a testament to the safety measures in place in modern Formula 1. He was promptly taken to the medical center for evaluation. Although he appeared to be in pain, particularly shaking his hands, he later confirmed that it was just a minor knock and he was otherwise unharmed.

Before the crash, there were indicators of impending trouble. Just a few corners prior, Logan Sargeant overtook Magnussen, and his race engineer warned him about the high brake temperatures. These warnings were a prelude to the suspension failure that would soon follow. In the aftermath, televised footage captured the beginnings of a fire around the left rear area of the Haas car.

Steiner’s comments to Autosport provided a clear explanation of the incident: the heat from the brakes led to a critical suspension failure. Magnussen’s own reflections post-crash suggested an awareness of issues with the rear left of the car, noting a loss of grip before the suspension ultimately gave way.

Despite the setback, Magnussen remained optimistic. He noted that the race was going well initially but acknowledged a sudden performance drop before the crash. The incident highlights the challenges teams face in managing car components under extreme conditions, such as those at the Mexican Grand Prix.

The Haas team will undoubtedly take these lessons into their future races, aiming to better manage the intricate balance of performance and reliability in the high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing.