LONDON - Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner said he was not surprised by the team's stronger than expected start to the Formula One season and suggested they had deliberately talked down their prospects.

New principal Ayao Komatsu warned before the Bahrain season-opener on March 2 that U.S.-owned Haas, who finished last of the 10 teams overall in 2023, were likely to be running near the back of the field initially.