Guenther Steiner admitted he is more interested in defending his team's current position in the constructors' standings than he is about a possible charge for sixth place.
Haas have endured a difficult time in recent years. The 2020 season saw them score just three points with only Williams worse off, while they were rock bottom last year as they suffered the ignominy of failing to score a single points throughout the campaign.
But in 2022 there have been green shoots of recovery. A fifth-placed finish for returning star Kevin Magnussen in the Bahrain curtain-raiser probably raised hopes too high, but still 38 points earned with three races remaining is a positive total considering their woes of 12 months ago.
