Haas team boss Guenther Steiner says there’s little satisfaction in fighting with Ferrari when it’s only because both teams are struggling.
Last weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, the Ferrari-powered teams were left fighting amongst themselves as none had the performance to challenge for a top 10 finish at Spa-Francorchamps.
Indeed, Kimi Raikkonen was the highest place driver in 12th for Alfa Romeo, ahead of the two works drivers while Haas’ Romain Grosjean was just behind in 15th.
“Obviously you get a little bit of satisfaction out of it, at least you race something,” said Steiner. “But to be honest, nobody is coming here to try to beat someone for 12th or 13th position. That’s not why you come here.
“When you are out there on Sunday and you race someone you feel excited about it, but when you think about it, you are really doing something which isn’t very satisfying, beating somebody who is struggling as well in the moment.
“I don’t get any satisfaction out of that.”
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Given the Ferrari engine is also currently substantially behind the other manufacturers, the Haas chief was unsurprised by their lack of pace.
“No, not really, over the last six races we knew roughly where we were,” he said. “What we didn’t exactly know was how big it would be. We experienced that feeling already last year, so we are a little bit used to it.
“There is no new power coming, the car will stay the same as well. It will be deja vu I guess at Monza. I don’t know Mugello too much but I think it’s less power-sensitive. That will be fantastic.
“For sure Monza will be a big challenge. We go into it knowing that and we just try to do our best the whole weekend just to get the best out of whatever we have. That’s what we need to do in this position.”
In a year where Haas has only scored one point in seven races, Steiner also admits it is frustrating to have their season severely hampered by a part they buy in.
“The clock is running because this year we can’t do anything about the engine,” he added.
“I don’t know exactly where they are for next year. I know they are working on it because you can imagine I ask that question every day, every hour.
“I don’t have a definitive answer and it’s difficult to be the spokesperson for something you are not in control of. I just relay messages.
“They are working hard on it because they know it needs to be better. I think the only way to find out will be when we go back on the track next year.”
