Steiner welcomes Liberty's stance on Haas business model

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Haas boss Guenther Steiner was happy to hear that Liberty Media intends on ensuring the sustainability of the much decried business model used by the US outfit in F1.

Haas entered Formula 1 in 2016 by capitalizing on a close technical partnership with Ferrari, an approach that has proved beneficial to the young squad but which has also upset the sport's independent teams who do not view Haas as a bona fide F1 constructor.

For McLaren, Racing Point or Williams, Haas has gained an advantage by putting itself on the fringes of legality and deceiving the spirit of F1's regulations.

Brawn insists Haas controversial model is here to stay

Formula 1 sporting manager Ross Brawn acknowledged that Haas' clever exploitation of the technical partnership model shall require a few adjustments in the future, but looking ahead the model will remain part of Grand Prix racing's under-structure.

"I wouldn’t say they are looking after us," said Steiner.

"I would rephrase that: they are looking after Formula 1. It is a bigger picture than us or another team.

"We are all egotistic obviously and somebody is a referee, and they need to look after the business that we have enough teams here that can fight at an equal level."

Ultimately, Steiner believes that an approach that can help tighten up the field is salutary to F1 as a whole.

"If you guys have got three teams that are two seconds ahead, then you have got teams that are two or three seconds behind and another group of people who are two or three seconds behind them, what fun is that? How long can that exist?

"We need to close the gap and that is one of the ways to do it. If people like it or not they just need to do a better job. Then we are fine."

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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.