Steiner and Haas drivers respond to 'Ferrari clone' jibe

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Haas team boss Guenther Steiner hit back at those who claim the US outfit's new VF-18 is just a mere clone of Ferrari's 2017 car.

Since its arrival in F1 in 2016, Haas has enjoyed a close technical collaboration with the Scuderia, exploiting not only the Italian manufacturer's power unit but also part of its drivetrain and rear suspension.

Even the bodywork of its VF-18 appears to have been derived from Ferrari SF70-H, a resemblance which wasn't lost on McLaren's Fernando Alonso who labeled the car a "Ferrari clone", a remark which somewhat irritated Haas' Steiner.

"Before you talk, you should know what you're talking about," he said.

"Everyone has their opinion and I have mine, and we can be proud of our accomplishments. We are not doing anything we cannot or should not do," he insisted.

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Haas driver Kevin Magnussen believes Alonso's remark was simply rooted in envy given the impressive performance of the VF-18 compared to McLaren's MCL33.

"Of course it annoys him that we are ahead of him," said the Dane.

"I've been at McLaren and saw their infrastructure, and if you compare that to us, it's going to annoy you."

Magnussen's teammate Romain Grosjean says the similarities between his mount and last year's Ferrari are logical.

"We use the same gearbox and suspension, and everyone knows that the suspension determines the airflow," he said.

"The longer the season goes on, the bigger the gap to the top teams will become. We just cannot keep up with them," he added.

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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.