Haas model could 'erode' F1 constructors' status - Pat Symonds

Romain Grosjean finished sixth in the Australian Grand Prix, making Haas the first completely new team since Toyota in 2002 to score points on its F1 debut.

Gene Haas's outfit has all components teams do not have to design themselves - known as 'non-listed parts' - supplied by Ferrari, access to the Maranello team's windtunnel and its latest specification of engine.

The number of listed parts that a team must produce itself has been reduced in recent years and Symonds believes that is threatening the standing of an F1 constructor.

"The status of being a constructor has been gradually eroded," said Symonds.

"Some would like it completely eroded.

"What Haas has done is good for him, but I don't know if that is really the way F1 should be going.

"It's absolutely legal but is it really what F1 wants? I'm not sure.

"When we had the original listed parts, the long list, it was quite pragmatic I thought.

"It allowed you to sell a few sensible things like transmissions which are high value, low performance impact.

"But it got whittled away. Some want it whittled even further.

"I would prefer F1 to have more of an emphasis on constructors."

Symonds said while Haas deserved the result in Melbourne, he is unsure it will be as strong at more traditional circuits.

"With the pace in the race, we need to be careful how you judge it right the way through the field," he said.

"I take nothing away from Haas, it's a fantastic result.

"But on another circuit, would the Force India [of Nico Hulkenberg] have been behind for that long? I'm not sure."