Steiner: Non B-teams trying to 'harm' Haas
Haas boss Gunther Steiner says rival teams are trying to "harm" the Ferrari-linked outfit by lobbying to stop the practice of so-called 'B teams'.
Ahead of crunch meetings with the FIA and Liberty Media and tough negotiations over the next Concorde Agreement, Renault and McLaren in particular are reportedly lobbying to prevent top teams like Ferrari from allying with smaller rivals.
Racing Point is also alarmed by how closely teams like Ferrari and Alfa Romeo are collaborating.
"Nobody can tell me that there is no data being exchanged there," an unnamed team member told Auto Motor und Sport.
"Sauber's technical boss Simone Resta came directly from Ferrari to Switzerland and there wasn't even the usual gardening leave. It means both teams know from the other what developments work and how, so they can divide the work between themselves."
But Steiner says the lobbying is simply to "harm" smaller teams like Haas.
"They want to take something away from us to harm us and better themselves," he said.
Haas buys as many components as the rules allow from Ferrari, allowing it to take on much bigger rivals like Renault on a fraction of the budget.
"We chose this model because the rules allow it," said Steiner.
"It has proven itself, especially for new teams who would otherwise have no chance to enter formula one. So why change it? Everyone can adopt our model. I don't try to tell Renault what they should do," he added.
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Steiner is right. Part of the grid wants to make up with the rules what it fails to achieve by the cars and their drivers. If the current rules allow for all the cars to reach exactly the same levels of reliability, competitiveness, speed, and reliability it will, then, boil down to drivers. That, actually would be ideal.
The race is all encompassing, not restricted to the racing weekend and the circuit. If it gets too hot then get out.
I have thought about this "B" team issue and decided that I don't like the idea and there must be limits to how much assistance a team can receive from another be it parts, designs, wind tunnel, and money. Why doesn't the relationship between Red Bull and Toro Roso draw attention rather than Haas/Ferrari which started this a year ago.
Every team on the grid should have the goal of winning races and beating other teams not being a development tool for another team, no matter how far away they may be. Racing any other way is absurd for F1.