Steiner: 'What Ferrari does with Alfa Romeo is none of my business'

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Guenther Steiner isn't concerned by a tightening of the partnership between Ferrari and Alfa Romeo/Sauber, as long as Maranello upholds the terms of its collaboration with Haas.

After Sauber was recently renamed Alfa Romeo Racing, the Italian manufacturer's will to increase its presence in F1 was clear for all to see, with pundits predicting an outright take over of the Swiss team by its partner in the future.

Closer cooperation between Ferrari and Alfa Romeo could be seen as detrimental to Haas' own relationship with its engine supplier and technical partner. But Steiner has no worries going forward, at least for now.

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"We have got a very solid relationship with them, technically, humanly, and financially," said the Haas team boss.

"It is very solid. They respect us, we respect them, and we collaborate very well. What they do with Sauber and with Alfa Romeo is none of my business. They know that I respect that fully.

"I don't interfere. As long as we get what they promise and what they gave us [before], then I am happy. What they do otherwise, so it be.

"I am not critical or anything, and I don't really care what they do with them as long as we do as we always do, and we do. So I am happy."

The Haas/Ferrari model - where the US outfit legally buys many of the its car's components from Maranello - remains a cause for concern for several of Haas' rivals, like McLaren and Racing Point.

But Steiner is fully satisfied with Haas' partnership with the Scuderia which heads into its fourth year.

"As I said before, I have no influence on what they do and I don't want to have, because it is not my business what they do with their business," said the Italian.

"I don't feel I am in a position to tell Ferrari what to do. As long as we are doing what we always did with them, and what we continue to do, and they actually do it, I am happy.

"What they do with Alfa, I have no influence and do not want to have any influence because we are happy what we get from them and it is all good.

"I don't even ask questions to them about Alfa Romeo because it is none of my business."

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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.