Haas didn't 'luck into points' in Jeddah - Steiner

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner says the US outfit fought hard to earn its spot among the top-ten last time out in Jeddah, adding that scoring points in F1 is the team's "biggest motivation".

Haas concluded its 2022 campaign P8 in the Constructors' championship, a result the team aims to better this season and Kevin Magnussen's 10th place finish in Jeddah has already propelled the team to P7 in the standings.

"This year we started off with a clear target in mind to better our position in the Constructors’ Championship from last year," said Steiner ahead of next weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

"Obviously, we didn’t score in Bahrain but as we all found out there are four very strong teams now in Formula 1 and the points that are up for grabs are not many.

"In Bahrain, we didn’t score but now we’ve scored one point in Saudi Arabia, and it was done pretty well.

"By saying that, I mean we didn’t luck into the point, we fought well for it.

"Getting points is the biggest motivation for the team, if you get points the team is happy and motivated to get up and go to the next race."

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But F1's midfield is currently as tight as its ever been, with the five teams constituting the second half of the field all fiercely close to each other, with no laggards or backmarkers in the group.

Steiner knows that in such a competitive environment, Haas must take advantage of any opportunity that comes its way to add to its tally and fulfil its end target.

"As we’ve discussed, there are only a few points available for the midfield teams and everyone is in that midfield, from P6 down it’s all midfield, there is nobody behind," he explained.

"We must take every opportunity. I think we are in the midfield, the upper end of it, but every race could see a change where each team is.

"The only thing to do at the moment is to work hard and try not to make mistakes because they will cost dearly."

Melbourne holds a special place in Haas' memory as the venue is where the team made its F1 debut in 2016, a baptism of fire rewarded with 8 points, courtesy of Romain Grosjean's sixth-place finish.

"I will never forget our first race in 2016 – getting to Australia and being confronted with all the issues we had because it’s still the first race for a team, and it’s very difficult for a new team in Formula 1," Steiner recalled.

"For us scoring points, every time I go there I remember that moment and for the team and people who were there on the first day, they still remember it.

"For us it’s always a great way to come back to that place and remember good memories."

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