Haas' Steiner: Third-car idea would only confuse fans

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Haas' Guenther Steiner has dismissed the potential idea of teams adding a third car to their entries, believing it would only "distort" the championship and confuse the fans.

Promoted by Mercedes' Toto Wolff to help provide young drivers with more race-seat opportunities, the idea of allowing teams to field three cars hasn't garnered much support among F1's team bosses, with practicality and financial issues often mentioned as the main drawbacks.

Horner: Third-car idea interesting, but it won't happen

However, Steiner isn't sure that bossting the grid in such a fashion would even appeal to the sport's fanbase, believing it would only confuse spectators and deform the standings among the teams.

"I’m not in agreement with a third car because it could confuse the whole picture," says Steiner.

"It would be very difficult to understand for the fans and new spectators that sometimes a third car could run.

"It would distort the actual championship, in my opinion. I think we need to sit back and come up with a better idea."

From a financial perspective, Steiner says the idea is also a non-starter, at least for Haas, except if a the extra cost was assumed by an outside source.

"As it stands, we have no interest to field a third car. If somebody comes up and pays for it, yes we can consider it.

"Until that happens, there is no thinking about a third car for us."

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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.