Ferrari-supplied Haas Formula 1 team would consider customer cars

Haas has a technical partnership and engine supply deal with Ferrari for 2016 while Dallara is responsible for its chassis.

The idea of customer or franchise cars, which could be introduced as early as 2017, is something that has been on the agenda in recent weeks with the big teams unwilling to make concessions to assist the small outfits.

Haas will continue with its current plan while the regulations are still up in the air, but team principal Gunther Steiner said the team will remain flexible about its future approach.

"It is about being competitive," he told AUTOSPORT. "How you get there doesn't matter.

"We haven't got the ego that we need to make the car. As long as we are competitive, we are fine.

"At the moment we have a plan in place but if there is a better plan, we have to do what is the best for us to do.

"Formula 1 is a quick-changing business and you need to adapt. Is it nice? No.

"But if that makes more sense, we will go that way. But it isn't said that it makes more sense, so we go our way, continuing our road as collaborating as technical partner with Ferrari.

"It [customer cars] could happen. We are not too worried about that as we have no influence in making changes.

"We just focus on getting ready for next year."

During the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne said he would be happy to supply Red Bull with engines amid its increasingly difficult relationship with Renault.

If Red Bull switched to Ferrari power, and junior team Toro Rosso followed suit, the Scuderia would supply five teams, with Sauber and Manor currently on its books, as well as its works outfit.

Steiner, though, is unconcerned by that prospect.

"It doesn't worry me," he said. "It's up to Ferrari.

"We have our agreement and I trust them in what they promised us they can deliver.

"If they can do it for more people, I have no vote in it.

"As long as they fulfil our agreement, it's fine."