Steiner: Haas wants to be Best of the Rest

Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner was asked by Racer if Haas could battle for fourth in the constructors' championship, he replied, "We want to be, hopefully. We should be able to be in it, then we could be able to."

"Last year we finished eighth but we were in the hunt for sixth. It was eight points, it isn't great but it wasn't a disaster. We were in there with everyone else who wanted it and maybe we came up a little bit short. Some you lose, some you win."

"There is no weak team here anymore. It's quite demanding at the moment. It's one of the most competitive seasons in F1 for a long period of time. Take the first three out who are in a different league, but the rest is very competitive, very close together. Just to look good and not having the points doesn't help at the end of the year."

Team owner Gene Haas has targeted being half a second off the pace of Ferrari whose engines the American team use, Steiner accepts the challenge, "I think we have to aim high. For him, he gave us an opportunity, he has to be demanding. He's not here to be last, and neither am I. So he sets a high target."

"It is difficult – I am not saying 'Oh we will do that easily Gene!' – it is high but he's in a position where he can set that target and if we don't achieve it then he's entitled to do whatever he wants to do afterwards."

"We've worked hard and we made progress. Let's see in Australia what it brings us but I think it's a good target to have."

"We need to be ambitious. If you're not ambitious in this sport you never get anything done. It is very difficult and he gave us a great opportunity," added Steinert