Haas yet to decide on using new spec Ferrari engine

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Haas F1 Team boss Guenther Steiner has yet to decide whether the US outfit will upgrade its power unit to Ferrari's latest specification for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

Ferrari itself implemented the changes in Russia as a result of using three development tokens aimed at improving the engine's combustion.

The benefit of the modified engine has yet to be fully quantified, but Haas is decided on bolting the new unit onto the back of its VF-16 if the engine is made available by partner Ferrari.

"It will be decided this week what we are doing," Steiner said in Sochi.

"We don’t know exactly in the manufacturing schedule if we will use the new engine. If we get the new engine for there then yes we will have it but we need to see if it all lines up."

Steiner also revealed that a few aerodynamic tweaks shall be introduced in Barcelona in the form of a new rear wing.

"For Spain we need a little bit more rear downforce so that’s what it is, it’s for Spain and Monte Carlo. It’s just to adapt to the track layouts which are coming in the near future.

"We keep on bringing things, we just have to be sure that they work. You never can be sure until you’ve tried them, but as sure as you can be."

One asset the US squad can count on in Spain is its knowledge of the Circuit de Catalonia, gathered during pre-season testing, and which will perhaps make life a little simpler for Haas next week in terms of workload.

"Correct, for us it’s quite a good thing. We can go to Spain and look at the data we had from the test and compare it and see if we’ve gone wrong somewhere.

"We are still in the ballpark because the car felt good but it’s the first track we have been on that we have data so it’s always nice to go back and compare what we had before there."

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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.