Haas F1 Race Engineer Takes Veiled Dig at Magnussen & Grosjean With Mick Schumacher Example

Being a race engineer is certainly one of the most high-pressure jobs in Formula One, having to keep themselves and their driver calm through difficult and complicated moments on the track. But, for Haas F1 engineer, Gary Gannon, it isn’t as difficult anymore, thanks to the arrival of Mick Schumacher.

Gannon has had the opportunities to work with both Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen in the past. But, to everyone’s surprise, Gannon admitted that his brief stint with Schumacher has been much better than the two former Haas teammates.

What did the Haas engineer say?

Speaking to Motorsport-Magazin, Gannon revealed that both Grosjean and Magnussen often burdened him with nervousness, struggling to cope with stressful situations. He further admitted that such fall-outs had often left him wondering how he could improve as a race engineer.

“No, but I have had some very stressful situations in the past with the drivers when I let their nervousness pass onto me,” he said.

“I later analyzed how I could have managed it better and how I could have brought the driver’s focus back to the race better, even if something bad had happened. That’s why I try to handle it that way. I’ve learned a lot with my drivers over the years.”

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Mick Schumacher is professional: Gannon 

Gannon acknowledged that Schumacher looked more professional and calm under pressure throughout his rookie F1 campaign. Hence, both Schumacher and Gannon were able to work in tandem, keeping each other calm through any tough moments that they had to tackle in 2021.

“Mick is so professional, calm, and always so clear. That’s why it’s very easy to reflect that to him and not let myself be stressed. When a situation like that in Imola, when he lost the front wing or something like that, it helps. In the past, I have seen situations where I had to try my best to cool off the emotions,” he concluded.

Overall, one can say Gannon and Schumacher were the best race engineer-driver pair of the 2021 F1 season. But, could any other driver better the duo in the coming years? Only time will tell.

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