Former Haas Formula 1 boss Guenther Steiner believes he could potentially return to the paddock in a team role if certain opportunities arise. Steiner, who played a key role in bringing Haas to F1 and managed the team until the winter of 2023/2024, expresses surprise at the difficulties faced by other midfield teams. He discusses his frustrations with team owner Gene Haas and the limitations imposed on the team’s long-term potential. Steiner also talks about his post-Haas life, including his role as ambassador for the Miami GP, and what it would take for him to consider another position in F1. However, he explains why he does not support Andretti’s attempt to join the grid as an American F1 team.
The following are excerpts from Steiner’s interview:
“I had the option to leave before and, looking back now, maybe I should have left. But now I have the opportunity to see things from an external perspective and understand why I got so frustrated. It’s easier to understand when you don’t have the daily routine of your job and can focus on doing your best.”
“In Formula 1, a lot of things happen behind the scenes. Although I’m not involved in all of them, I am aware of some. If certain opportunities arise, I could be a candidate for them. However, I’m not actively seeking a team principal role by reaching out to people and lobbying for it.”
“It would be better to wait for the possibility of an 11th or 12th team. If a team performs poorly and another opportunity arises, that could be a chance for me. Andretti is doing the right thing by preparing. If the opportunity arises, they are ready to seize it. The FOM did not reject General Motors and Andretti; they simply asked them to come back in 2028, when General Motors is involved. So the door is still open: ‘When you bring the engine, you can have a team’.”
“There are challenges with the current state of F1. It is not always possible to do what you want to do. In the first year, there were problems with the track surface, which had to be resurfaced. Now, we need to wait and understand what is needed instead of reacting impulsively. Changing a race track is expensive and sometimes uncertain.”
