Haas keen to move on from Monaco after ‘Sunday to forget’ with double DNF likely to have 'big cost'

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MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 26: The VF-24 of Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and Haas F1 lifted off the

Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu is keen to move on from the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, which saw both cars disqualified from qualifying and start down the back of the field for the race.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, both cars were then involved in a sizable shunt with the Red Bull of Sergio Perez, which no doubt leaves both teams with a hefty repair bill.

READ MORE: Perez, Magnussen and Hulkenberg share contrasting views on start pile-up in Monaco

In a cost cap era, any damage is unfortunate but to take a hit to both cars will no doubt have a knock on effect to Haas being able to bring upgrades on schedule. All of that is far from ideal, with both Williams and Alpine scoring in Monaco as they start to close the gap to the American team in the constructors’ – while RB pulled further ahead thanks to Yuki Tsunoda’s eighth place.

“Starting from P19 and P20, we had an alternative strategy plan to try to get something out of it, but unfortunately our race ended on lap one,” said Komatsu. “It’s been a Sunday to forget and we just have to learn from this weekend and move on, and get a good result in Canada.”

2024 Monaco Grand Prix: See the Lap 1 crash up close through the Monaco barriers

Kevin Magnussen was more blunt – with the Dane the initial catalyst for the crash after he tried to squeeze past Perez after the first corner. The stewards saw it as a racing incident, which at least meant Magnussen didn’t pick up any penalty points and get a race ban, but that was small consolation all things considered.

“It’s frustrating and a crash like this has a big cost for the team in terms of spare parts and making new parts, as well as a lot of work for the team. It’s just never good,” Magnussen said after the race.

READ MORE: Ocon to take five-place grid drop at Canadian GP after dramatic first-lap clash with team mate Gasly in Monaco

Haas at least have a 10-day turnaround to try and fix their cars ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, although it remains to be seen if there was any damage to the engines or either chassis from the crash. Both drivers might lose a gearbox from their pool as well, which could have ramifications further down the line.

All in all between the cost cap, the redistribution of work and potential delays to upgrades, the damage to key components and the fact their rivals scored, Monaco could not really have been worse for a team that until now had started the season so strongly.

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