F1 News, Reports and Race Results

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

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.

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."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.

Recent Posts

United States GP: Saturday's action in pictures

While Ferrari dominated once again Saturday’s final dress rehearsal, it was Kimi Antonelli who popped…

26 minutes ago

United States GP: Antonelli beats Verstappen to thrilling Austin pole

Kimi Antonelli delivered when it mattered most at the Circuit of the Americas, snatching pole…

59 minutes ago

United States Grand Prix - Qualifying results

Full results from qualifying for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the…

1 hour ago

Budkowski’s Austin comments raise fresh doubts over Bottas

Cadillac is in the final stretch of its first season in Formula 1, and questions…

4 hours ago

US Grand Prix: Hamilton upholds Ferrari’s lead in final practice

Lewis Hamilton upheld Ferrari’s dominance in free practice on Saturday at COTA, with the seven-time…

4 hours ago

United States Grand Prix Free Practice 3 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 32 for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, round…

5 hours ago