Former F1 chief Giancarlo Minardi thinks Ferrari may be struggling to wield influence over its customer teams.

Although HaasF1 is unofficially referred to as a Ferrari 'B' team, owner Gene Haas has announced that it will keep Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen next year. That was despite speculation that Ferrari reserve Antonio Giovinazzi would join the team for 2018. At the same time, Sauber is linked with a switch to Honda power for 2018, now backed by news that Honda-backed Nobuharu Matsushita will drive for the Swiss team after the Hungary Grand Prix test.

So when asked about Haas' unchanging drivers for 2018, former F1 team owner Minardi said this speaks to the lack of Ferrari influence.

"If that were the case, it would be a missed opportunity for Ferrari," Minardi said. "I remain optimistic, and I want to think it is only a move to maintain the serenity within a team that is doing very well, with the goal of winning as many points in the second half of the season."

But Minardi said if Giovinazzi doesn't make his full-time debut with Haas next year, it would deal a blow to the Ferrari business model.

"It would be a defeat for the entire Ferrari system for young drivers," Minardi said. "It would then be obvious that Ferrari drivers do not enjoy any protection. Ferrari would no longer have any decision-making power over its customers, but for now, I refuse to think of such a scenario."

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