Haas-Ferrari criticism 'not based on facts'

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says accusations made over the team's relationship with Ferrari are "based on no facts". After their impressive start to 2018, Haas' midfield rivals have suggested the American teams car is suspiciously similar to Ferrari's from last year.

Haas purchase as many mechanical parts as are allowed by the FIA from Ferrari, but Formula 1 rules state teams must make their own aerodynamic surfaces and bodywork.

After Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen locked out the third row at the Australian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso labelled the Haas a "Ferrari replica", while Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer branded the American car "magic", adding: "I wish we had the wand".

Failures in the pits meant neither Magnussen or Grosjean finished in Melbourne, having previously ran fourth and fifth respectively, but their upturn in form has caught unwarranted attention.

Amid the added scrutiny, Haas have insisted they are not breaking any rules and Steiner once again launched a staunch defence of his team.

"Everybody is allowed to have an opinion," said Steiner. "Some people have an opinion, which I think is based on no facts. It does not have a lot of value to me.

"I think the whole of Haas F1 Team can be proud of the work done between last year and over the winter to produce the VF-18 and get it into its competitive condition. It's merit to them. They can be proud. If people have an issue, fine with me.

"We report what we are doing, like everybody else, to the FIA. That's why I'm more than confident we are not doing anything wrong. I'm perfectly fine with how we do business.

"We design our own aero, as per the regulations, and yes, we use mechanical parts from Ferrari, but everybody's known that for the past two years. We are well above board, and happy to be where we are."

Despite having potentially their best F1 result snatched away, Steiner says Haas will pay no mind to the issues in Melbourne if they can respond in type at Bahrain and China next up.

"I think if we achieve a good result in Bahrain, we will forget about Melbourne," he said. "If we don't, we'll dwell over what happened in Australia until the time we have a fantastic result, or time gets us over it. The aim is to do everything right and come home with a good result.

"I would say I'm still cautiously optimistic. I would never be arrogant and say, 'Oh we will do the same in Bahrain,' but, for sure, we will try to do the same.

"The car showed speed in Barcelona and Melbourne. There is a point, maybe after China, where we will really know where we are."