Gunther Steiner, head of Haas F1, helped Fox Sport’s staff commentators as a special guest the day before to cover NASCAR’s Austin race, but that didn’t stop his team’s press service from sending him an interview on Monday morning about the upcoming Australian Grand Prix. Price.
Q: In Saudi Arabia, the team scored its first point of the season with Kevin Magnussen in 10th and Nico Hülkenberg in 12th. The first task has been completed – how does this affect the mood of the team at this early stage of the championship?
Gunter Steiner: This season we have a specific challenge: to improve our position in the Constructors’ Championship compared to last year. Obviously we didn’t earn anything in Bahrain, but everyone understands that now in Formula 1 there are four very strong teams, so there are not so many opportunities to earn points.
We couldn’t do it in Bahrain, but in Saudi Arabia we opened the score and did it in style. I want to say that we didn’t get this bonus point by luck – we had to fight for it. If you manage to earn points, it’s the best way to get the team in the right mood, because everyone is happy and happy to get started and prepare for the next race.
Q: After two rounds of the championship, Haas F1 is 7th in the team standings. What can be said about the balance of power in this regard and what approach will you take in the upcoming races until the technical innovations are ready?
Gunter Steiner: As I said, the teams in the middle of the peloton can only count on a few points, but we have to use every opportunity. I think we’re at the top of this group, but the balance of power can change from race to race.
Now we just have to work as hard as possible and try not to make mistakes, because they are very expensive.
Q: Last year everyone in the paddock welcomed the return to the Australian Grand Prix calendar after a forced absence. Melbourne has been confirmed to run until at least 2035 – what does this mean for Formula 1 and why is everyone so excited to be in the city?
Gunter Steiner: Everyone loves coming to Melbourne and there are several explanations for this. There are wonderful people living in Australia, they always greet us very warmly. The circuit is in the city, but it’s a real racetrack, not a ring road, and it already has its own history.
Q: It was in Melbourne in 2016 that Haas debuted in Formula 1, and now has seven full seasons behind it, and soon the team will hold its 150th Grand Prix…
Gunter Steiner: I will never forget our first race: when we arrived in Australia we faced a lot of difficulties, because it is always difficult for new teams. Every time I go to Melbourne I remember how we earned points back then – the whole team remembers that day and that moment. It is always a pleasure to return to Australia as it is associated with happy memories.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
