Steiner: 'Emotionally, Silverstone makes a big difference'

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Haas boss Guenther Steiner says he doesn't understand why Liberty Media and Silverstone are struggling to secure the future of the British Grand Prix beyond 2019.

A week ahead of what could turn out to be F1's last race at the historic venue, F1's commercial rights holder and the BRDC have yet to agree on a new commercial deal that would extend Silverstone's presence on the calendar beyond this year.

Steiner hopes the two parties will soon find a common ground as the Haas team boss believes Silverstone simply embodies too much history for the venue to be discarded.

"Commercially, it doesn't make much of a difference to us," Steiner said. "Emotionally, it makes a difference.

"Silverstone is one of the classics and I'm the first one to say at some stage if commercial doesn't make sense anymore, then we can't live with classics and the good old days.

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"For me, at Silverstone there must be a way to make it commercially viable. I don't understand why not, a lot of races can do it. I hope it stays, it's an interesting track.

"A lot of teams are in England, there's a big following of motorsport in England. It's the home of motorsport and there should be things put in place to make it stay."

Addressing F1's ongoing development and expansion, marked by the addition on its schedule of Vietnam next season and a return to the Netherlands, Steiner also hopes Liberty's plans of adding a second race in the US come to fruition, with Miami still on the docket.

"I talk in general for F1, it is interesting to have more races in the US because it's a growing market," added the Italian.

"There is a potential which is huge, there is a big population and F1 is not big there. It's very important for F1 to grow in the US. For Haas, it's not really important.

"Mr [Gene] Haas started this team to get his brand recognition around the world.

"In the US the market share of Haas is over 50 per cent in machine tools, so there is not a lot to be gained from that one. But in general, if F1 grows in the US, it's good for all of 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.