Steiner: 'Giovinazzi presence not positive for Haas'

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Haas boss Guenther Steiner says the US outfit won't be running Antonio Giovinazzi as a third driver in 2018.

The Ferrari junior, who subbed for an injured Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber in Australia and China, took part in seven Friday practice sessions this year with Haas.

Steiner insisted however that his team would not be repeating the experience next season despite Ferrari's request.

"I don't think it helped us or our drivers," the Haas team manager told Ekstra Bladet newspaper.

"I cannot say how negative it was, but it was not positive. We will see what we are doing next year, but we have not talked about it yet," he added.

Giovinazzi - More prepared than ever for F1

Giovinazzi has been left out of the Sauber race lineup for 2018, Ferrari entrusting F2 champion Charles Leclerc with a drive at the Swiss team which will be supported by Alfa Romeo next season.

The Italian manufacturer asked Haas to accommodate Giovinazzi for 2018, but the American team said no.

"They asked," Steiner said, "but if you don't ask you don't get what you want.

"They did not pressure us. We quickly clarified that we have two drivers next year. It was pretty straightforward."

For now, Giovinazzi has six Friday practice outings lined up with Sauber for 2018.

"We understand his desire to race but at the moment there are no places," Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne told Italy's Autosprint.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.