Steiner hopes Haas can emulate team's past Bahrain strength

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results, but Haas boss Guenther Steiner hopes his team can emulate in Bahrain its previous strong outings at Sakhir.

Formula 1 heads this week to the Persian Gulf for a double dose of racing in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Haas' reasonably good track record at Sakhir includes Romain Grosjean's P5 finish in 2016 and a pair of top-six qualifying performances from Kevin Magnussen in 2017 and 2018.

However, the US outfit's performances were all recorded when Bahrain hosted F1 at the start of the respective seasons when many teams were still getting to grips with their new machinery.

But Steiner doesn't believe the event's timing was ever a factor in Haas' positive performance at the venue.

"I don’t think so, I think it’s more the Bahrain track has always suited our car – at least from 2016, 17 and 18," said the Italian in his team's Bahrain GP preview.

"I think we were just at the right place at the right time at these races. There’s no special magic in it that we always seem to run quite strong there.

"The only thing I would say is, I would love to see it happen again this year."

Read also: Bahrain Circuit closes F1 double-header to fans

While F1 will race on consecutive weekends at Sakhir, teams will tackle two different layouts, with the circuit's outer track configuration on all-new proposition for F1. And it is one that appeals to Steiner.

"I obviously like different things done differently – just to spice things up and to present new challenges, just so we don’t have more of the same old all the time," he said.

"I’m a big supporter of having two track layouts on the one racetrack. I think it shows smart thinking, so let’s see what it brings.

"But when things don’t work, I’m also one of the first to say we shouldn’t go back and do this again. I’m really looking forward to Bahrain.

"Regarding the second layout, there’s nothing special that we’ve done. We do our normal stuff of gathering information on the new layout and try to do the best simulation we can."

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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.