Haas formally initiates Italian GP appeal process

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Haas has formally launched its Italian Grand Prix appeal process, hoping to overturn the decision that excluded Romain Grosjean from the race's results last weekend.

The US outfit had 96 hours to file an official appeal, and has therefore followed up on an intent already expressed last Sunday evening.

Grosjean's exclusion from sixth place was the result of a protest lodged by Renault and a subsequent investigations by the Italian Grand Prix stewards and the FIA's technical delegate.

Tech F1i Monza - Haas' Italian job fails the rules

The floor element of the French driver's car was found not to comply with the technical regulations as well as with a recent directive published by the FIA.

The US outfit had been warned by the governing body about its floor structure that was updated at the Canadian Grand Prix, but had asked the FIA for a grace period to correct its situation as time constraints associated with F1's summer shutdown had not allowed it to modify the specific element in a timely fashion.

Haas took the risk of running its unmodified VF-18 in Italy, but was ultimately caught out by Renault's protest and the stewards' ruling.

Last Sunday evening in Monza, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner took to Twitter to say that the team would appeal its exclusion.

"We do not agree with the Stewards' decision to penalize our race team and we feel strongly that our sixth-place finish in the Italian Grand Prix should stand. We are appealing the Stewards' decision," he wrote.

Grosjean's exclusion from sixth place demoted Haas fifth in the Constructors' standings, enabling rival Renault to head the midfield battle once again.

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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.