Haas waiting for movement on Malaysia crash compensation

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed that he still hasn't received word from the Malaysian Grand Prix organisers over possible compensation after Romain Grosjean crash last week. The American team was left disgruntled after a loose drain cover ripped apart the right rear of Grosjean's car, sending it into the barriers.

It is reported that the damage suffered amounts to €550,000, however that sum could change once it's verified what parts can be saved and reused. Steiner stated that he had spoken to the Sepang Circuit's chief executive, Razlan Razali, but failed to sound promising.

"Nobody agrees to you to give you this amount of money, you know. Nobody volunteers even if you are the best guy in the world, to give you this amount of money," he said. "I just spoke with them and made them aware that we don’t feel responsible for it. But I have not got any discussions or I haven’t got any 'no', I haven’t got any 'yes'," he said.

Speaking about the weekend ahead in Japan, Steiner affirmed that the Suzuka Circuit offers a challenge to the drivers, who need to be brave if they want to be quick: "You need to be a brave man around Suzuka. You’re at high speed and when you go off, sometimes it’s not a soft landing. You need to be brave, but you also need to be very technical to set the car up. Suzuka is definitely a track that tests driver skill."

Full-time driver Kevin Magnussen added: "It’s just a great circuit. It’s extremely fast, and you have the section in sector one with all the esses – that feels amazing going through there in a Formula One car. You have the fastest corner in the world, as well in 130R. It’s a real driver’s track with high-speed corners where you need to really push the car. It’s a great atmosphere there. The Japanese fans are amazing. They really get into it."

Fergal Walsh