Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner says he can’t be upset over Racing Point’s approach to its 2020 package because of how Formula 1’s rules have evolved in recent years.
Racing Point’s 2020 car, the RP20, is based on the design of Mercedes’ title-winning W10.
The Silverstone-based outfit has stressed that there has been no transfer of any intellectual property.
“I’m happy they’ve copied, I have to be because it’s not illegal,” said Steiner.
“There’s no point getting upset over something that’s legal. I can be unhappy, that’s it. It’s legal, we make the rules, we’ve got a big part voting for those rules, they were voted like this, so we have to be happy even if we’re unhappy because we can’t do anything about it.
“Has it gone too far? I don’t know. I mean, the rules are what they are and they took this opportunity got where they are. The teams are a big part in the strategy group and that what was decided, so I think they’ve done the best for them with what the regulations allow.
Haas initially applied for a licence to race in 2014 with the hopes of being able to purchase customer cars, but were refused, and the outfit then utilised the most of the regulations regarding purchasable parts when they tied up with Ferrari, entering in 2016.
When asked by Motorsport Week as to whether customer cars should make a return in the near future, Steiner added: “I think it’s too early to talk about that.
“I don’t know, it always depends on where the sport is. It may be a good idea, you’ve got me there on the back foot with that one. I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not.
“At the moment it’s not even in the books.”
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