Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner has confirmed the team will be seeking compensation from the Sepang circuit to cover the costs of Romain Grosjean’s crash damage after hitting a loose drain in Friday Practice.
The Frenchman would hit the barrier with a force of 17G as his right-rear tyre exploded at high-speed through Turn 12 after hitting the cover on the exit kerb which had seen the welds fail under the high upward pressure being put applied by the cars running over it.
Estimates of the cost of the damage done were put at around $750,000 and due to the freak nature of the accident, the American team has spoken to the FIA about the Malaysian track footing some of the bill.
“Oh yeah absolutely, you have to, ” Steiner said. “It was completely out of our hands. I cannot say ‘OK we now let three-quarters of a million go because somebody forgot to weld something in’, it’s all good.
“We pay a fee to come here and it’s like, guys [come on]….”
Sepang officials initially denied a claim had been put in by Haas after a spoof receipt was posted online as a joke, however, Steiner confirmed communication has since been made.
“We discussed it, they were very professional about it,” he claimed. “They have insurance so let’s see what we can do.”
