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Haas F1 team designs fix for Romain Grosjean's Singapore GP problem

The Haas Formula 1 team has traced the problem that stopped Romain Grosjean from starting the Singapore Grand Prix to a connector falling off, and designed a fix for Malaysia

Grosjean encountered a brake-by-wire system problem on the way to the grid in Singapore and there was not enough time to remedy it before the lights went out.

Team principal Gunther Steiner said the subsequent investigation had revealed a "very simple" cause.

"It was a connector that fell off," said Steiner.

"To get to the connector you have to take the gearbox off and, obviously, there was no time to do that.

"Sunday night after the race in Singapore, we took the gearbox off and it was as simple as reconnecting it.

"We'll manufacture a device in Europe to be sent via air freight to Malaysia to ensure the connector doesn't fall off again.

"It will be fitted on the car before we get on track in Malaysia."

SINGAPORE MISERY A "ONE-OFF" FOR GROSJEAN

Steiner believes Grosjean's miserable Singapore GP weekend was a one-off and expects the Franco-Swiss to bounce back in Malaysia.

Grosjean suffered two crashes as he struggled with the handling of his Haas on Friday and Saturday and then failed to start the race because of the brake-by-wire problem.

He has scored all of the American newcomer's points this season but was beaten by team-mate Esteban Gutierrez in three of the four races before Singapore and complained on numerous occasions on team radio about the car's handling.

When suggested to Steiner that Grosjean can be a "delicate flower" in terms of his character, the team boss replied: "Yes, we all know that but I think he reacts pretty well.

"He gets emotional about it, but he gets it back.

"He will recover and be back as good as he can at the next race in Malaysia.

"He's frustrated but I spoke with him before and said 'let's get better in Malaysia, let's see the glass half full'."

NEW WING FOR MALAYSIA

Steiner added Haas did not run a new front wing it brought to Singapore but plans to do so in Malaysia.

"We didn't run the new front wing because the drivers weren't sure how to set the car up with the new wing," he said.

"We need to re-test it in Malaysia. It's very difficult to test something in Singapore due to the walls.

"The readings of the data are sometimes different because you get different aero data when you're running between two walls."

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