Steiner impressed by Haas reaction at Eifel GP

Jon Wilde
Romain Grosjean (Haas) makes a pit stop

Romain Grosjean (Haas) makes a pit stop

Haas are encouraged by their prospects for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after how they coped with a reduced running programme at the Nurburgring.

Both Friday practice sessions for the Eifel Grand Prix had to be abandoned due to rain and mist which meant the medical helicopter was unable to fly.

That meant only one hour of practice on Saturday morning could take place before the teams headed straight into qualifying.

In the end, it turned out to be the best race of the season for Haas because Romain Grosjean tripled their points total for the campaign by finishing P9, one position above their previous highest placing of the year achieved by Kevin Magnussen in Hungary.

It was not a direct result of the reduced track opportunities, but nevertheless Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes his staff adapted well.

And it should certainly stand them in good stead for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on October 31-November 1, which is a two-day weekend by design – with only one 90-minute practice session – as it follows straight on a week after the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Romain Grosjean Haas
Romain Grosjean Haas

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“I honestly think it didn’t hurt us,” said Steiner, quoted by RaceFans, of losing Friday practice in Germany.

“And I think the guys can take some positives away from that, that just when we need to react quick and when we don’t have 100 people back at the factory – which we don’t have working on it – we are on a par if not better than all the other ones.

“I think the guys at the track can be proud of this, but I’m not jumping to a conclusion on this. Maybe it does, so hopefully we can pull the same thing off at Imola because there is only one practice session before qualifying.”

As things stand, with six races remaining of the 2020 season, it is not yet known whether Grosjean or Magnussen will stay at Haas for next year – although the chances are looking extremely likely that at least one of them moves on.

“They (Grosjean and Magnussen) will have a look around because everyone does,” said Steiner.

“I’m not angry either. If you talk to someone and check availability, you are not yet committed.

“You will talk to other racing teams, other people. At least that’s what I hope they do. That’s what they have these people (management) for.

“I’m not angry when they talk to others. And I’ll tell them whether they stay or not.”

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