F1: 'We can compete with the big dogs' - Haas

Gene Haas believes his team has shown it can "compete with the big dogs" in Formula 1 after scoring points in its debut last weekend.

Following a tough second test blighted by technical problems, strategic mistakes made in qualifying and then Esteban Gutierrez's involvement in a horrific crash with Fernando Alonso on lap 17 of the race, the start to the team's maiden F1 campaign in Australia could not have gone much worse. But the 63-year-old American was left smiling come the checkered flag, courtesy of Romain Grosjean's fine sixth place at Albert Park (ABOVE: Haas and Grosjean after the race).

Haas believes he has now been vindicated for the long lead time into F1, given he opted to wait until this season to compete after being granted an entry in April 2014.

"It's been a long time in the making to do this and a lot of people have contributed to it," he said. "Obviously the chassis, aero, engine, all work, and that's what's really important. That's why we took the extra year to work on that and Ben [Agathangelou, chief aerodynamicist] has spent a lot of time getting the aero right, so the car is a very stable platform.

"We've kind of known since [testing in] Barcelona we've had a lot of gremlins and technical issues and so on, but I think the fundamental chassis is going to be pretty awesome this year for us."

There was admittedly a touch of good fortune with the result given the incident with Gutierrez and Alonso laid the foundation for Grosjean's performance. The red flag and subsequent 20-minute delay allowed Haas to change the tires on Grosjean's car for the one and only time, with the Frenchman taking on the medium compound that saw him through to the end.

Despite that, given the strength of the chassis, and the fact Haas is bolstered by Ferrari in terms of power unit and another ancillary parts, its owner believes the team has proven it is a solid midfield runner and there is more to come.

"We didn't win it, but finishing sixth, I think it kind of validates the fact that we have a team that can compete with the big dogs," said Haas. "The people working on Haas are great, and the result is a real morale booster.

"These guys now have confidence in what they are doing, who they are working for and I think they stand behind their drivers. The cars are fast, they have good equipment. I think we're going to do really, really great in the next year."

Suggested to Haas the team should go for fifth in the next race in Bahrain, he replied: "We got sixth here, so why shouldn't we go for fifth. We'll see."

Originally on Autosport.com