Accusations of cheating by rivals not based on facts – Haas

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has slammed accusations of cheating against his team after rivals called for an investigation against the American team.

After showing a strong turn of speed at the opening round in Australia, rivals in the paddock have raised questions as to how Haas managed to make such a significant improvement over the winter period with no major rule changes.

Further questions regarding the technical relationship between Haas and Ferrari is also under scrutiny and whether it is correct to allow such a partnership in Formula 1 as some teams feel it goes against the point of being a 'constructor'.

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

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"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."

Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean were on course to finish in fourth and fifth place respectively, ahead of both Red Bull and McLaren until in the pit stop period both cars failed to have their fresh tyres securely properly on the car, potentially losing 22 points.

The Austrian believes the team has worked hard and done a tremendous job over the winter with the VF-18, Steiner is also confident the team can be competitive for the rest of 2018 and even potentially into the 2019 season.

"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." He added.

"Everybody on the team can be proud of what we’ve achieved over the last couple of years, and with what we’re going to achieve this year and next year. We have a good bunch of people who have put us in this position where we look very competitive this year.”