Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Breaking news

Haas: Rivals have "no facts" for Ferrari allegations

Haas Formula 1 team principal Gunther Steiner has hit back at suggestions that the US-owned team is getting more technical support from Ferrari than the rules allow.

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-18 Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB14 Tag Heuer

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-18 Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB14 Tag Heuer

Andrew Hone / Motorsport Images

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-18
Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-18
Guenther Steiner, Haas F1 Team Principal
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 Team VF-18
Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1
Brendon Hartley, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13 and Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 Team VF-18
Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-18
Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-18

Steiner says that those making allegations have no facts on which to base them, and that everything the team has done has been clear with the FIA. 

McLarеn and Force India have both expressed suspicions about the team’s surge in form since last year, while conceding that there is no hard evidence of any wrongdoing.

“Everybody is allowed to have an opinion,” said Steiner. “Some people have an opinion, which I think is based on no facts. It does not have a lot of value to me.

"I think the whole of Haas F1 Team can be proud of the work done between last year and over the winter to produce the VF-18 and get it into its competitive condition. It’s merit to them. They can be proud. If people have an issue, fine with me.

“We report what we are doing, like everybody else, to the FIA. That’s why I’m more than confident we are not doing anything wrong. I’m perfectly fine with how we do business.

"We design our own aero, as per the regulations, and yes, we use mechanical parts from Ferrari, but everybody’s known that for the past two years. We are well above board, and happy to be where we are.”

Steiner is adamant that the team can move on from its twin Melbourne pit stop disasters that cost it the chance of a double top-five finish with a good second race in Bahrain next weekend.

“I think if we achieve a good result in Bahrain, we will forget about Melbourne," he said. "If we don’t, we’ll dwell over what happened in Australia until the time we have a fantastic result, or time gets us over it. The aim is to do everything right and come home with a good result.

“I would say I’m still cautiously optimistic. I would never be arrogant and say, ‘Oh we will do the same in Bahrain,’ but, for sure, we will try to do the same.

"The car showed speed in Barcelona and Melbourne. There is a point, maybe after China, where we will really know where we are.”

Both Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen agreed that Bahrain will give the team a chance to bounce back.

“A good result will help us to forget Australia,” said Grosjean. “Let’s get to Bahrain, let’s do our work, like we did in Australia, focus on our jobs and see where we are at the end. Hopefully, we can have another good surprise.”

Magnussen added: “It would be great to have a good result in Bahrain after such big disappointment in Australia. We’ve got to start building points, as we’ve fallen behind after Australia. We’ve got to catch up.”

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Clark, Amon, and the speculation that rules motorsport history
Next article The vicious cycle protecting Mercedes and Ferrari

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia