Steiner will have a 'talk' with Gutierrez

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Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has said that he will be talking with Esteban Gutierrez in Abu Dhabi, following the pair's heated exchange in Brazil.

Gutierrez' exit from the race sparked a flash of anger, with the driver displaying an attitude of discourtesy towards Steiner when the Haas boss attempted to settle him down.

The fact that he was told just days before that he would not figure in the US outfit's 2017 plans obviously had the Mexican in a difficult frame of mind at the outset of the Brazilian weekend.

"I think it is emotional when you are told something like this," Steiner admitted.

"I respect that and therefore I don't want to get into I say, he says. He has his feelings. The feelings were hurt, which I understand and respect as well. But I don't want to go back and explain what the criteria was."

"It was fair and very subjective as well, but set in a moment where he was emotional by the decision and everything, it could be something different when he thinks about it in a few days."

At the end of the day, Steiner wished to play down the incident and keep its dealings with its driver under wraps.

"For me to sit here and discuss whether we were fair or not, I don't want to do that. I don't want to wash dirty underwear in public.

"I will talk with him, and I told him in Abu Dhabi I want to sit down again with him and explain when he has calmed down."

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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.