Haas focused on ridding VF-19 of 'annoying gremlins'

40

Haas boss Guenther Steiner says the team must get to the bottom of the teething electrical issues that disrupted the US outfit's third day of running in Barcelona.

The team's VF-19 was halted three times over the course of Wednesday's session with Pietro Fittipaldi left stranded out on the track in the morning and Romain Grosjean stopping twice in the afternoon.

"It’s annoying more than frustrating, the car has good potential, the drivers like it, we just need to sort out these little gremlins," said Steiner.

"We just need to find what causes it. We still have time to find it, therefore I am not too desperate.

"I’m not liking it, to be honest, I could do without it, but still it is nothing to be desperate about, we will fix it."

Williams won't 'apportion blame' for embarrassing FW42 delay

Despite the setbacks, Fittipaldi and Grosjean still managed to achieve a combined 117 laps on Day 3, and the Frenchman offered his positive feedback on the team's VF-19.

"A few electronics issues to work out, but that shouldn't be too complicated," he said. "t's not a bad day to be fair.

"Yes, we came back a couple of times in the 4x4 and had to stop the car on track. But that's part of testing and we're finding our limitations and what we can do better on the car.

"The main thing here is the car is really good, a good step has been made from Monday. I was already happy on Monday, but I'm more happy now.

"I think we're getting better and better, and really improving the car and working in a good direction. So [I’m] very much looking forward to working more tomorrow."

Grosjean will resume his workload on Thursday morning before Kevin Magnussen takes over testing duties in the afternoon.

The Dane's day of work came to a premature end on Tuesday because of a headrest issue. However, Steiner said the specific problem had been solved.

"We just had to modify the headrest and the seat. Nothing big, it’s an adaption," said the Italian.

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.