Haas happy with crash test and schedule

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Haas' team principal Guenther Steiner has confirmed that the US outfit's 2017 challenger has successfully passed its crash test.

While it would have been news if it hadn't passed the mandatory test which controls chassis' safety and rigidity, Steiner was still delighted with the timely milestone.

"We did our chassis crash test this week and we passed that one, so we are pretty on schedule," Steiner told ESPN.

"That's always a pretty good marker, a big goalpost, if you make that the rest should fall into place. Every year it is the same for everybody -- you're always last minute but you figure out how to get over that one."

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Like most of its rivals, Haas started work on its 2017 car early last year but as pre-season testing looms ever larger, manufacturing pressure builds.

"The season starts a bit later but that doesn't do anything for building a car because you release the car later as well.

"But we learned a lot last year about the process. You learn every day."

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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.