Steiner positive: "In one lap we are as fast as Alpine"

Guenther Steiner has seen confirmation in Saudi Arabia that Haas can compete in the midfield. Speaking to Auto, Motor und Sport, the Haas team boss discusses the results of the last race and looks at Haas' chances against its rivals.

The Formula 1 field in 2023 seems to be divided into two groups. The first group is the vanguard, with Red Bull the outright winner and behind it Aston Martin, Mercedes and Ferrari. The second group is the rear or midfield, containing Alfa Romeo, Haas, Williams, McLaren and AlphaTauri. Alpine seems to be somewhat of a  bridge between the two groups: better than the midfield, worse than the lead teams. It makes sense, then, that the other teams use Alpine as their benchmark.

Steiner sees Haas looking good

Steiner certainly does. In Saudi Arabia, Kevin Magnussen finished tenth, directly behind both Alpines. In qualifying, Haas fell behind the net, with places 11 and 13. "On one lap, we are as fast as Alpine," Steiner analysed. "Both drivers can drive into Q3. Nico was unlucky that a lap before him was cancelled. In the last minutes of Q2, so much pressure built up that he gave one and one away, half tenths at the last corner. Kevin's gearbox shifted back only with a delay. Without the problem, he too would have made Q3."

That Magnussen still managed to grab that one point in the end was a godsend, according to Steiner. "It is so damn tight in the second part of the field that every point is worth its weight in gold."