Haas says Ferrari will not dictate its 2019 F1 driver line-up
Haas Formula 1 boss Gunther Steiner has stressed that Ferrari does not dictate the team's driver choice, as it finalises its 2019 line-up

Steiner emphasised that the team was even free to take a driver like Esteban Ocon - who is tied to Mercedes - and that Ferrari would not step in and prevent such a move.
Ocon is in the market after losing out to Daniel Ricciardo at Renault, and Mercedes is working hard to place him in 2019, with McLaren still regarded as his most likely home.
"We could take him, we may decide not to take him," said Steiner.
"But we can decide that, it's our judgement that counts. We're not told what to do.
"It's more a philosophical thing for us. We have got a good partner in Ferrari.
"I respect Ocon, he's a very good driver."
Along with current incumbents Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean current Sauber driver Charles Leclerc is another candidate for a seat.
Leclerc, who was a Haas test driver in 2016 and ran four Friday FP1 sessions for the team, wasn't considered experienced enough to race for Haas this year.
However he has been widely tipped to move from Sauber for 2019, if there is no seat for him at Ferrari, although Steiner says he is still awaiting firm news on Leclerc's plans.
"There are a few serious candidates out there who still don't have a seat," he said.

"There are not many left, he's obviously one of them but I don't know what he's going to do, I have no information what he's going to do, if he's staying at Sauber, his contractual situation with them, or with Ferrari.
"He's doing a great job. He's stepped up. Last year I wouldn't say we were afraid about the rookie status, but he has passed that one. I have a lot of respect for the guy."
Steiner is also relieved not to have been directly involved in the driver market "madness" of the past few weeks.
"It's very difficult to explain to you guys how we feel," he said. "We feel very comfortable the position we're in.
"We're not taking part in the madness, 'We need this guy, but he wants to go there'.
"We're in a good place. I would love to announce today who we'll have, there's just a few things to figure out, and then we'll do it.
"We are very confident of the position we are in with drivers. We have nothing to hurry."
Steiner said there was no shortage of drivers showing an interest, including some who were not so keen when the team was first starting out.
"We had a lot of approaches, and I respect everybody approaching us," he said.
"In the beginning it was difficult to find anyone to drive for us, now quite a few people want to drive for us for obvious reasons, so it has changed around.
"I'm very confident and not losing any sleep about not having two good drivers next year."

Previous article
Alonso shows his Gilles Villeneuve spirit
Next article
Nico Hulkenberg still has 'mixed feelings' on F1 halo after Spa crash

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Teams | Ferrari , Haas F1 Team |
Author | Adam Cooper |
Haas says Ferrari will not dictate its 2019 F1 driver line-up
Trending
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…