Haas team principal Gunther Steiner is adamant the American outfit is not entering F1 to "be last" on the track.

While many new teams have struggled on their Formula 1 debuts lapping at the back of the field, there is a general belief that Haas could score points in their debut season.

Team owner Gene Haas deferred his outfit's entry for a year to ensure they are ready for Formula 1 which meant more time to work on their package in the wind tunnel.

Haas will race a Dallara chassis powered by a Ferrari engine while Romain Grosjean has been signed as the lead driver and Esteban Gutierrez his team-mate.

"We are not here to be last," Steiner told USA TODAY Sports.

"It sounds almost arrogant, I don't want to be arrogant, but we will not (be) happy being last. Just participating is not what Gene or the team wants to do."