Haas against idea of ‘distorted’ F1 with three-car teams

Haas has rejected the proposal of running three-car teams in Formula 1, with team boss Gunther Steiner adding such a move would “distort” the championship and “confuse” fans.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently suggested teams could run a third car in order to help promote young talent onto the F1 grid.

Wolff’s comments came amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon, who is set to lose his Force India drive to Lance Stroll and could miss out on a spot on the 2019 grid altogether.

There are also concerns over the immediate future of fellow Mercedes-backed driver George Russell should he go on to win the Formula 2 Championship he currently leads, with F1 seats increasingly-diminishing for next season.

"I'm not in agreement with a third car because it could confuse the whole picture," Steiner explained.

"It would be very difficult to understand for the fans and new spectators that sometimes a third car could run.

"It would distort the actual championship, in my opinion. I think we need to sit back and come up with a better idea."

Steiner said Haas would only consider running a third car if the costs were covered by another party.

“As it stands, we have no interest to field a third car," he added. "If somebody comes up and pays for it, yes we can consider it.

"Until that happens, there is no thinking about a third car for us."