Haas Formula 1 chief Günther Steiner says the protest of Force India’s cars ahead🃏 of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is driven by a desire to seek “equality” for the entire field.

Haas launched a protest against both of Force India’s cars o🧜n Thursday in Abu Dhabi, with both teams attending a hearing with the stewards on Friday betw🧸een ༒FP1 and FP2.

The stewards stated they had received a “substantial amount” of evidence that meant no decision꧒ would be taken until Saturday afternoon at the earliest.

The protest is understood to relate to the intellectual🗹 property of Force India’s cars following it is re-entry toඣ the championship at the Belgian Grand Prix, with links to the team’s eligibility for ‘Column 1’ prize money – something Haas is against.

Steiner met with media in Abu Dhabi on Frida💫y evening, and while he would not be drawn explicitly on the grounds of the protest, he confirmed it was linked to the team’s push for equality throughout the grid.

“What ꦿwe are se♊eking for is equality for all the teams,” Steiner said.

“We came in under certain circumstances into Formula 1, we were aware of what we have to do, we did it all, and we feel that this was not done this time with Fo𝔉rce India.

“We are just seeking equality or at least an explanation why it 🌜isn’t done.”

Haas was not eligible for Column 1 prize money until 2018 after ent♒ering F1 as a new team at the start of the 2016ꦦ season.

Racing Point Force India technically entered F1 as 🐽a new team at the Belgian Grand Prix this year, taking over the place of Sahara Force India a𒅌fter the operation exited administration.

However, it claims to still have the right to the Column 1 prize mon👍ey – that is shared equally between all 10 F1 teams -  which Haas is opposing.

“The problem is maybe bigger than Force India, but we are j𓄧ust seeking that everybody is treated equally,” Steiner sai♛d.

“That is the only thing we are 🦄seeking. We𒁏 are not trying to get more [money]. We are just trying to that everybody in this position in the future knows what he’s going to do.”

Steiner said the a🎉ction was “absolutely” a last resort💦, and rejected suggestions the team was on a “crusade” in its push against Force India.

“It isn’t a crusade. Haas F1 obey by the rules and did what needed to be done, so [team owner Gene Haas] is just trying to find out or to make it equal for everybody,” Steine▨r said.

“That’s what he’s trying. It isn’t a crusade, he doesn’t want more, so he’s just sayingꦯ ‘hey, we did this, I knew I was going to do this, I was happꦑy to do it, and it’s the same for everybody.’"