Haas' Steiner has no sympathy for Mercedes-powered customers

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Haas boss Guenther Steiner says that Mercedes customer teams shouldn't complain about the performance of the their Ferrari-powered rivals, namely the US outfit and Sauber.

Now in its third season of Grand Prix racing, Haas is fighting at the top of F1's midfield, standing currently just 16 points behind the fourth-placed works Renault team.

In addition to a well-balanced chassis, at least on F1's high-speed tracks, Haas also enjoys the benefits of a new-spec Ferrari engine, the Italian power unit now seen as having the edge over Mercedes.

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Haas' rivals point to that advantage, but Steiner was quick to remind them that for several years they enjoyed a power gain thanks to Mercedes hybrid technology.

"Mercedes customers shouldn’t complain because they had a very good engine the last four years," Steiner told Motorsport.com.

"The first years of these regulations, if you didn’t have a Mercedes engine, you were nowhere. Now Ferrari has overtaken them and everybody having a Ferrari engine are critiqued – ‘Oh, you’ve got the good engine’.

"Yeah we have. So did you the last four years and you didn’t take advantage of it. So what can I do? I’m very happy. If the other ones are unhappy, I cannot help them."

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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.