Formula 1 is now a “tough crowd” with many competitive teams

Four teams are currently fighting for places from sixth to ninth in the constructors’ standings. Alfa Romeo at 52, Aston Martin at 45, and both Alpha Tauri and Haas at 34.

Haas has fallen sharply in recent weeks Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher failed to score a point in the last seven races.

Still, Steiner says that’s down to the circumstances and the teams meshing so well, not Haas’s drop in form.

“When you have a couple of not-so-good results, everyone takes off the negatives and goes, things have gone wrong,” he said. “For me, the public here is tough.

“We have 10 very good teams, and we have to fight with each one. Some you can’t fight, and some you need to take away your points.

“In Monza, Williams It was very good, Nick [de Vries] did a fantastic job. It’s hard. If you don’t work at 100% of what you have, you won’t get any more points.”

Steiner admitted that scoring points is difficult, as the leading teams consistently finish first.

“I just think strong teams are reliable now. The top four teams, they’re doing really well, and the other six teams are fighting for ninth and 10th, to be honest, that’s how it looks at the moment.

“So what do I put it down to? I don’t know, it’s just competition. They did the best job. There is nothing hidden.

“I think the budget constraint works because the teams are as close to each other as ever.

“Six teams behind four teams, they are very close. Anyone could score at any moment, two or one point.

“Obviously if someone goes down you pick yourself up a bit more, but it shows that it’s working. I think in a few years it will close down even more and then everyone will mix more.”