F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Steiner unhappy with Grosjean 'elephant in the room' narrative

Haas boss Guenther Steiner set the record regarding Haas' future in F1, insisting that Romain Grosjean portrayal of the US outfit's prospects was "wrong".

Queried on Thursday in Hungary on his plans for 2021, Grosjean said his fate was linked to his team's future in the sport beyond this season, which the Frenchman called "the elephant in the room", suggesting that Haas' own plans for 2021 were up in the air.

But Steiner took exception with the way his driver publicly spoke of the team.

"I think his answer was the wrong answer," Steiner told Sky F1. "Because he was asked what he is doing, and he spoke for the team. I think the elephant is in his room, not in our room.

"We know what we want to do, and if we are here or not, that will be just decided once we sign the new Concorde. Everything is on the way that this will happen.

"I’m still confident that we will be here. So I think the elephant needs to go out of the room, and into Romain’s room."

©Haas

Rumors of Sebastian Vettel joining Racing Point in 2021 have led to reports about incumbent Sergio Perez possibly joining Haas next year.

But Steiner said the Mexican was just another driver with whom he would possibly speak to in the future.

"I think we need to, or in my position, you need to talk with everybody, as I always do," said the Italian.

"I talk a lot, I talk a lot with a lot of people, and sure, I talked with Checo before in previous years. In the end, I’m talking with everybody and anybody.

"I respect Checo and what he is doing. I don’t know what his situation is with Racing Point, and I don’t want to add any more to this speculation that is going on at the moment, because I have no intelligence of it."

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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.

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