Despite both of their drivers failing to complete the season's opening race in Melbourne last weekend, the surprisingly exciting signs shown from Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen's Haas cars have raised more than a few eyebrows from around the paddock but team principal Gunther Steiner has refuted any suggestions of impropriety being behind the team's improvement.

The American-owned team has close links with the powerful Ferrari operation and some feel the relationship is somewhat too cosy, with the Italian manufacturers possibly providing more support to the Haas team than is strictly allowed by the rules. 

Nevertheless, Steiner is adamant that any improvements the team have made since last season were completely in accordance with the regulations and all changes to the car had been cleared by the FIA.

"Everybody is allowed to have an opinion," said Steiner, per Autosport. "Some people have an opinion, which I think is based on no facts. It does not have a lot of value to me.

"The whole of Haas can be proud of the work done between last year and over the winter to produce the VF-18 and get it into its competitive condition.

"It's merit to them. They can be proud. If people have an issue, fine with me.

"We report what we are doing, like everybody else, to the FIA. That's why I'm more than confident we are not doing anything wrong.

"I'm perfectly fine with how we do business. We design our own aero, as per the regulations, and yes, we use mechanical parts from Ferrari, but everybody's known that for the past two years.

"We are well above board, and happy to be where we are."

It remains to be seen if in time Haas can become a force in the sport but it is clear that their rapidly improving performance has not gone unnoticed by rivals McLaren and Force India, who have been quick to question the close relationship with Ferrari.

Of course, despite their initial signs of promise, Haas came away from Australia empty-handed following two botched pit stops but Steiner is already firmly focused on round two of the championship in Bahrain next weekend and remains upbeat about the team's prospects.

"If we achieve a good result in Bahrain, we will forget about Melbourne," he added.

"If we don't, we'll dwell over what happened in Australia until the time we have a fantastic result, or time gets us over it.

"The aim is to do everything right and come home with a good result.

"I would say I'm still cautiously optimistic. I would never be arrogant and say, 'Oh we will do the same in Bahrain,' but we will try to do the same."