Haas to focus exclusively on 2017 car

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The Haas F1 Team will no longer develop its 2016 car as it is satisfied with its current level of performance and will focus exclusively on next season's challenger.

Haas enjoyed a remarkable start to its maiden Formula 1 campaign, with Romain Grosjean finishing comfortably in the points in the first two races of the year.

But the US squad, which has a partnership with Ferrari and Dallara, has since fallen back in terms of performance as it continues to learn the ropes of Grand Prix racing. In order to get the earliest possible start on 2017, the team has now abandoned all development of its VF-16 chassis.

"We are full-time on the '17 car," said team principal Guenther Steiner.

"We are not doing anything with the ‘16 car anymore. Where we are with the ‘17 car, we think we are in a good place, but until after we go out next year at the first test, we don’t know because other people are developing.

"We are always trying to hit a moving target, but everybody’s confident we are getting there. Wind tunnel sessions are filled with parts to try, we are doing CFD, we are maxed out on everything as allowed by the FIA and everybody seems to be confident that we are on the right path.

"Where we are – only next year will tell when we get on the track."

Steiner admitted the team's Hungarian GP did not go according to plan, with both drivers finishing out of the points following wrong strategy calls. Haas will be looking to Germany next weekend to improve its points tally.

"A lot of work for little reward. We ended up 13th and 14th. Esteban did a good job and Romain did as well. It was just our strategy didn’t work out how we wanted.

"All in all, the team worked hard. We’ll head to Germany and try to improve our results. Our aim is always to get into the points, so we’ll be pushing for that."

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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.