Haas were left hailing their mechanics after both drivers suffered engine failures during Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The American outfit completed just three laps in the morning session at Spa-Francorchamps before emerging in the second half of the afternoon.
Unsurprisingly, that lack of running meant Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen ended the day slowest overall, but simply getting back out on track was an achievement in itself.
“It’s been a very disappointing day today,” team boss Guenther Steiner admitted.
“We didn’t do any laps in FP1, other than the installation laps, because of both engine failures. The only good thing from today is that the guys did a fantastic job to get the cars together again.
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“We at least got back out in the afternoon to find some kind of balance on the car, that’s what we achieved. We just need to get the best out of tomorrow’s one-hour practice session. Again, I just want to say a big thank you to the guys – they kept on working hard to get us back out there.”
In his post-practice comments, Grosjean largely echoed the Haas chief.
“It was a tough day for everyone, especially the mechanics,” said the Frenchman.
“Going out in the morning and having to change straight away the engine wasn’t ideal, especially on both cars at Spa which is a track where you want to get some good knowledge, but then we managed to get out in the afternoon.
“The boys did a mega job and the car didn’t feel too bad. Obviously yes, we are not top of the sheets but that is understandable after doing one timed lap on a one-lap tyre.
“Being two-tenths away from [Sebastian] Vettel [in 17th] having done only one lap is not bad.”
That point though highlights the struggles the underpowered Ferrari engine is having on the long straights at Spa, and Grosjean admits a Q1 exit seems inevitable in qualifying.
“I think here we are going to pay the price in a straight line and I believe it will be a fight between 15th and 20th. I don’t really see much more but I hope I’m wrong.”