Approaching the end of its third season in F1, Haas is looking increasingly likely to secure fifth in the team standings.

But for a number of factors, including loose wheels and driver errors, the team might have been challenging for fourth, a remarkable achievement for such a young team.

In fact, for a few short hours the American outfit was fourth, Romain Grosjean's convincing drive to sixth at Monza allowing the team to leapfrog Renault.

However, the French team subsequently protested the floor on the Frenchman's car, and only last week the FIA's Court of Appeal upheld the decision which saw the Haas driver disqualified from the event.

Despite the fact his team has done well to finish fifth in the standings, ahead of the likes of McLaren and Williams, Guenther Steiner is still clearly bitter at Renault's attitude.

Thirty points adrift of the Enstone-based outfit, Steiner admitted to being surprised that the gap wasn't bigger considering the French manufacturer's long history in the sport and its resources.

"No," said the Italian, when asked if Grosjean's disqualification had tainted the season for his team. "We are in our third season, we are fifth, we are fighting with Renault, which they should be a lot better anyway.

"I think it shows how desperate they are," he continued, "because they are a works team, they have five times as many people as us, and they are fighting with us. It's actually for us an honour. What can you say? I would ask them how they feel about it.

"It's all part of it," he insisted. "We all know that F1 is a very difficult place to race. It's not everything about racing. I think our team is doing a good job, and that is why we're fighting for fourth. As you say, it's very difficult now at this moment in time, but maybe miracles happen."

In terms of the disqualification, Steiner admits the team has learned a valuable lesson.

"Next time we will make sure that what we do stands up in front of everything," he said. "We move on. We're not dwelling on it. It's done and dusted and we go racing again."

Nonetheless, he isn't entirely happy with the manner in which the FIA dealt with the situation of the floor.

"You always ask for complete clarity because if you always had complete clarity, our thing wouldn't have happened," he said. "It's never good enough, nothing is good enough in my opinion. I wouldn't say; 'you're fantastic, FIA' but I think they try to do a decent job."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by PlayF1, 08/11/2018 22:45

"I know that bobby, but....
:)"

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2. Posted by Bobby, 08/11/2018 22:34

"Apologies for the typing and spelling, trying to type on a small phone!"

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3. Posted by Bobby, 08/11/2018 22:32

"Play F1, Haas knew the rules, as Kevin mag's car had the right floor on it! They tried to get away with it onGrosean car and didnt, its really simple they knew the rules.
Merc also did it the right way as well they didnt run their wheel rims until the fia had passed it after a Ferrari protest was up held.
They may be stupid rules, but they are they for a reason, Haas playing the we didnt know the rules line is crap tbh. they just didnt allow enough time to change both floors, so they only have themselves to blame, and then tried to get away with it on Grosean's car."

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4. Posted by PlayF1, 08/11/2018 21:45

"Hey Bobby ... the rules are very often unclear - hence the ruling challenges.

Steiner must maintain some political decorum
... but when you see Merc winning the challenge against them (due to negligible gains), while HAAS lost their challenge (regardless of negligible gains)

... I don't see any reason for 'high horse' stances.

There is much that is hidden in all quarters ... we really need to appreciate that ;)"

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5. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 08/11/2018 20:23

"Haas will be a forth place team in no time. What they've done is amazing. I don't think we need a US team for F1's success in the USA. Social media makes the teams and drivers appeal world wide even more. So many people who are not into F1 know Lewis Hamilton in US as much as they'll know someone in Nascar is they are not a fan of the series. Mexico, US, and Canada GP's were all packed. It's a good market here."

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6. Posted by Bobby, 08/11/2018 18:34

"The rules were clear for EVERY team, as EVERY team turned up at the track with the right floor. Haas didn't they knew they didn't, and thought they could get away with it. Guess what they didn't.
Yeah Renault have probably under performed, but they are still fourth, and still would be even if Haas hadn't had their points deducted.
Just imagine when they do get the engine right, and the chassis on song. From what i have seen its been a steady progressing, 8th the first year, 6th the second year and now fourth.
Also as much as Renault may have under performed, so have Haas considering their car is 60% a Ferrari! You need to look a bit closer to home Steiner, if your drivers had done a proper job at the start of the season, you wouldn't be whining like you are. "

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7. Posted by Cigarsmoker, 08/11/2018 18:18

"As a long time (old Dude) U.S. fan of F1 I cheer each race for Haas to do well. F1 is facing great difficulties in putting on a good show and staying relevant in this era of 24/7 social media. A U.S. team that is competitive can only help to garner fans in the U.S. The FIA does not help things by having unclear regulations which result in a teams performance being cancelled by a minute technical measurement.

I would like a $ cap but under such a cap I would like to see some flexibility in rules rather than this series becoming another spec series. I recently watched a video of Michael Schumacher racing Jean Alesi. One engine was a V-12 and the other a V-10. They were fighting it out while a few back markers and others were vying for the same track space. No blue flags - just hard racing. (And the sound was fantastic!) It would certainly help to generate a new fan base and perhaps a few new teams.

Haas has done a terrific job in running in fifth place and I would like to see them fighting for 4th without unclear technical rules handicapping them (or any other team). "

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It shows how desperate they are, says Steiner of Renault

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