The US-owned team has struggled for race performance for most of the season, although Magnussen managed to bag a point for 10th place in Singapore.
However, the Japanese GP again saw the cars slip down the order, with Magnussen compromised by contact from Sergio Perez, and his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg by the need to do a three-stop strategy. They finished 14th and 15th, with the German ahead.
Magnussen agreed that the next race in Qatar will also be difficult while the team waits for the Austin updates.
"It's survival mode until then,” he said when asked by Autosport about the upcoming package.
“We got a point in Singapore with this car. So that track suited our car better.
“There's always reasons to try our best, and we will in Qatar as well. I've never been there, but it's a very fast track, in a way a little bit like this track, long, flowing fast corners. It's not really our track."
Regarding his race in Suzuka, the Dane said: "I think qualifying for myself personally was positive, but still P15 wasn't satisfactory. So I think I'm just trying to focus on what I can do, and making sure I do the things that are in my control well."
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner insisted that there were still positives to be drawn from the Japanese GP weekend.
Source: Autosport