In a shocking turn of events, the Formula 1 paddock will witness a significant shift in leadership as Guenther Steiner, the charismatic figurehead of the Haas F1 team for the past 10 years, steps down from his role. This unexpected move has left fans and insiders alike wondering about the future of the American team, as director of engineering Ayao Komatsu prepares to take the helm. In an emotional revelation, Steiner opens up about the circumstances leading to his departure and his plans beyond the world of Formula 1.
The Architect of Haas’ F1 Journey: Guenther Steiner’s Legacy
While Gene Haas may have owned the team, it was Guenther Steiner who breathed life into the Haas Formula 1 dream. The Italian’s visionary approach led to the formation of the first American team in F1 in 2016. Despite Haas being the owner, Steiner shouldered the responsibilities, navigating the cutthroat F1 landscape to keep the team afloat.
Ex-Haas #F1 Team boss Guenther Steiner has spoken in public for the first time about his departure from the squad, saying he was told about the decision between “Christmas and New Year” last year 🗣️#A24 pic.twitter.com/w8RIZDIOON
— Autosport (@autosport) January 13, 2024
The Break: Steiner’s Much-Needed Respite
Speaking at Autosport International, Guenther Steiner revealed his plans for the immediate future—a hiatus from Formula 1 to reconnect with his family. The past few years leading the team have taken a toll on Steiner, describing them as “very hard.” Acknowledging the need to step back, he emphasized that he doesn’t want to stay in F1 merely for the sake of having a job. “Right now, I want to rest a little. It has been ten very hard years, and I have a lot of things to do, there is a lot to sort out at home,” Steiner shared.
Guenther Steiner will not return to Formula 1 for “several months” after his departure.
“It’s been a tough ten years and I have a lot of things to do, there’s a lot of cleaning up to do at home.”
“Staying in Formula 1 just to do a job isn’t something I want for me.”
“I got the… pic.twitter.com/awEH86KOhc
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) January 13, 2024
However, it’s not a complete farewell; the 58-year-old Italian expressed a desire to attend a few races in the 2024 season, not as a team leader but as a passionate fan. “I didn’t have the opportunity to thank some people when I left Haas, and I would like to do that now. I also want to do the same with all the fans who supported us when I was there,” he added, hinting at a different perspective from the paddock sidelines.
Behind-the-Scenes Friction:
The cracks in the relationship between Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner have been growing, driven by divergent views on the team’s performance and its future trajectory. The fundamental disagreement revolves around the level of investment required for growth. While Steiner advocated steady investments, Haas believed the team underachieved with the existing resources and their technical partnership with Ferrari.
The news of Steiner’s departure reached him right before his contract was set to expire at the end of 2023. Gene Haas informed Steiner that there was no intention to renew his contract. Expressing his disappointment, Steiner stated, “Something like that is always a little surprising. But in the end, he is the owner of the team and can do what he wants. It is his decision.”
The Pain of Unspoken Goodbyes
Steiner’s departure was not only unexpected but also marked by a lack of closure. The former Haas team principal revealed his hurt at not being able to bid farewell to his dedicated staff. The close-knit team, often running on adrenaline, deserved a proper acknowledgment for their hard work. “It hurt me not to say goodbye… It was a small team that, many times, ran on adrenaline. They did a good job, and I want to thank them. It doesn’t make you happy not to do it,” Steiner concluded, adding a poignant note to his departure.
