F1: Haas team has "nothing to hide" over Ferrari deal

The Haas Formula 1 team says it has nothing to hide regarding its relationship with Ferrari ahead of its grand prix debut next season.

The two teams agreed a technical partnership and engine supply deal for 2016, with Haas receiving all non-listed parts from Ferrari as well as using the Scuderia's wind tunnel. The FIA recently decided to carry out an inspection of Ferrari's wind tunnel to ensure both outfits were complying with the regulations, which include a restriction on the number of hours a team can use the facility per week.

Following a visit to Maranello by the FIA's F1 technical and sporting coordinator Marcin Budkowski after the Spanish Grand Prix, the governing body was satisfied the two teams were operating within the rules rather than Ferrari using Haas-allocated time for its own benefit.

Haas team principal Gunther Steiner (ABOVE, with Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene) told AUTOSPORT: "There is nothing from our side to hide. And I don't think from Ferrari what they are doing with us is anything to hide.

"We were no part of that inspection. They inspected Ferrari, not us. I was informed that there's an inspection, but they wouldn't give me any information and it's not my business, basically. So I was never worried at all because they didn't inspect us."

Meanwhile, Steiner said the team's recruitment continues with the signing of Stuart Cramp, formerly of Caterham, as chief mechanic.

Peter Crolla has joined as race team coordinator, having worked as garage support team leader at McLaren until April.

Originally on Autosport.com