Steiner criticises Hamilton: 'There was no need for him to do that'

Haas had a somewhat mixed qualifying in Australia. Kevin Magnussen had to make do with a 14th place after dropping out in Q2. His teammate Nico Hulkenberg posted impressive results in the first two blocks of qualifying, but in Q3 he had to concede. The German eventually finished in tenth place.

Steiner critical of Hamilton's behaviour

Team boss Steiner therefore looks back on it with mixed feelings. "I’m unhappy and happy today," he began his analysis. "There could’ve been more for us today because on the last run with Nico it wasn’t an ideal lap, down to a few circumstances. There was no need for Hamilton to be so close to Nico at the start of his last fast lap – and trying to get past him – as Lewis wasn’t on a fast lap. Then again, I’m happy because tomorrow we start P10 and P14 and everything seems to be going to plan and I think our race pace is good. Tomorrow, the mission is to get points."

Steiner is referring to a moment towards the end of qualifying. Hulkenberg tried to leave a gap to the cars in front of him so that he had a bit more space during his last attempt for a fast lap. As a result, Hamilton actually moved closer to the back of Hulkenberg so that the two cars got in each other's way when setting another fast lap.