The Russell reason Haas can beat Ferrari this year

Günther Steiner believes there is no reason Haas can’t beat Ferrari in a straight race this year after George Russell did the feat for Williams in France.

Haas and Williams are fighting again for the Formula 1 wooden spoon in the constructors’ table after they have not yet scored a point in the seven Grand Prix.

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Russell’s 12th place on the Paul Ricard Circuit enabled Williams to push Haas back to the bottom of the table after Mick Schumacher’s 13th place in Azerbaijan gave the American team the advantage.

Steiner sees Russell’s performance ahead of Charles Leclerc, who hobbled home with a pathetic 16th place, optimistic that Mick Schumacher or Nikita Mazepin could achieve something similar for Haas.

“I would say it was a weird race in midfield and George did a good job,” said Steiner. “To enable yourself to finish twelfth and overtake us in the championship.

“But if you take the good out of it, who would have thought two weeks ago that Williams could finish 12th in front of a Ferrari, two Alfa Romeos and so on.

“I see no reason why we shouldn’t think that we can do that too.”

Schumacher Q2 victory pace a sign of promise for Haas

Since the beginning of the season, Schumacher has been determined to reach the second qualification phase, which he expressed in numerous media meetings.

But in a car that has not been developed since January 1, the German managed the feat in France, although he did not take part in the session after an accident at the end of Q1.

Still, an enthusiastic Steiner added: “Everyone was surprised how it ended, but even on this lap he was strong.

“A lot of people came up to me and said, ‘Wow! Where did that come from?’ because compared to the others it was a good lap.

“It gives me a belief that if you try hard it is possible and George is now in his third year in this situation and he continues to push.

“That means there is value in determination, so I respect what they did because it was done under circumstances where not 10 cars retired but all of them made it to the finish line.

“But it also encourages me to tell my boys that anything is possible.”