F1 are in their little bubble on their own island - Bourdais

Former Formula One driver Sebastien Bourdais thinks that the sport is 'in their little bubble on their own island' in reference to its recognition of other motorsport disciplines as the debate continues as to whether there are any American drivers talented enough to make it on the circuit.

Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner caused some controversy this week when he claimed that, although the team would love to have an American driver in their ranks, there are no performers out there in the United States who have the ability to compete to a high standard in F1.

Various figures have criticised the comments including Mario Andretti, who labeled Steiner's comments as 'wrong and arrogant'.

Bourdais has also weighed in with his opinion, and he thinks that F1's problem is that they don't recognise other motorsports enough.

"Clearly, there is just no consideration," Bourdais told IndyCar.com.

"They [F1] are in their little bubble on their own island. Either you play their game and are rated on their game or you are just not rated at all.

"I completely understand that the American drivers take it personally because it’s not fair, but since when is F1 fair? It’s never been fair.

"You can’t deny that the pinnacle of open-wheel racing is F1, and you can’t blame anyone for wanting a chance and wanting to try."

Bourdais, who is one of the most decorated drivers in American racing, has admitted that his own failings in F1, as well as Alex Zanardi's ill-fated venture into the sport with Williams, has left F1 not thinking much of drivers crossing the divide.

"It took me four championships in the US and the Formula 3000 championship to finally get an opportunity," he said.

"And obviously, I didn’t really help the Americans, because I failed!

"You see the way people can perceive IndyCar drivers, and Zanardi was before me and stuff like that – it didn’t turn into a fairytale."