Haas introduced a revamp of its VF-23 at the United States Grand Prix that resulted in it becoming the final F1 squad to adopt the downwash sidepod concept that Red Bull has put to best use over the past two years.
The changes were aimed at bringing more downforce for Magnussen and team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, as well as improving on tyre life that both drivers had suffered from this year.
While a run of sprint weekends and the outlier track of Mexico has left the team unsure about how much improvement the changes have brought, Magnussen thinks there are some early positive signs.
"What I'm curious about, and we need more data, is whether this style of aero is better for our tyre issue," said Magnussen. "I do think it is, but you need to put in a lot of factors.
"Overall, we're probably a little worse with this upgrade on one lap. But then one lap pace and race pace are different things.
"On race pace, at the end of the stints, tyre performance is a little bit better because I think we've seen some small signs.
"It hasn't solved the issue, but it's just maybe made it a little bit better. And that's one of the things that I find interesting for next year, because next year, hopefully it will be a very big step."
Although the upgrade has not delivered a dramatic step forward in pace, Magnussen is encouraged that, considering it is a major baseline shift of concept, the team has not been left further back.
Source: Autosport