Symonds praises Haas accomplishments

Williams technical director Pat Symonds thinks that Haas F1 team's results just three races in the 2016 season are fantastic.

Symonds admitted earlier this year that he was unsure of the American outfit's business model which, while perfectly legal, perhaps undermined the status of being a constructor in Formula 1.

But the Williams engineer's reservations over Haas' approach do not prevent him from admiring the US squad's achievements, especially given its relatively small budget.

"I think it's fantastic," Symonds told Sky Sports F1.

"People might know that I do feel that the way Haas have gone about things - which of course is totally legal, it's what the rules allow you to do - I think it does erode the status of being a constructor a little bit.

"But good luck to them, that's what the rules are. They've used them well. They've really surprised me and I have a lot of admiration for them."

Despite a lacklustre showing in China, Haas scored good points in Australia and Bahrain thanks to the efforts of Romain Grosjean. The team currently lies fifth in the Constructor's championship just 11 points behind Williams.

Symonds has been particularly impressed with the performance level of the team's VF-16 contender, and even more stricken by the rookie outfit's race strategies.

"What's really impressed me is that they haven't just produced a good car but they've raced it well and that's a very difficult thing for a new team to do.

"I think they did have personnel from Ferrari but they've also recruited a lot of new people into Formula 1 who haven't been there before and they're doing a good job."

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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.