The tenure of Guenther Steiner at the Haas F1 team came to an end in 2023 when his contract was not renewed. This decision was made due to disagreements between Steiner and the team owner, Gene Haas.
The Haas F1 team gained great popularity through the Netflix documentary series, where Steiner’s direct approach as Team Principal resonated with viewers since the first season of the show. However, before the start of the 2024 F1 season, the 58-year-old man was fired by Haas. Recent reports suggest that Steiner revealed the true reason for his departure.
Previously, Steiner had publicly stated that he and Haas were at odds regarding the team’s future. Steiner believed that more investments in facilities were necessary, while Haas believed that the team needed to improve its current performance.
A Dutch TV presenter, whose name is not mentioned, claims to have had a phone call with Steiner after his departure. However, the main cause of his departure could not be discussed during that conversation. Nevertheless, Steiner sent a message to the presenter afterward.
According to Steiner, he had secured a $20 million sponsor for the team. However, the 58-year-old man also wanted ownership shares in the American team, a request that Haas declined. This disagreement ultimately led to Steiner’s controversial departure. In the 2024 season, the 58-year-old man will pursue a career as a TV commentator at RTL.
Steiner played a crucial role in turning Gene Haas’ F1 ambitions into reality almost ten years ago. Initially, Haas intended to use Ferrari cars as a customer team. However, this plan was blocked by the FIA and F1. As a result, Steiner negotiated an agreement with Ferrari for all non-listed parts and formed a partnership with Dallara. This allowed the project to join the F1 grid in 2016.
The American team faced numerous challenges throughout its existence in the sport. Steiner’s decision to associate the team with Rich Energy in 2019 turned out to be a major PR disaster. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic nearly caused Haas to withdraw from the project. However, Steiner managed to secure sufficient funding through Uralkali to keep the team running during these difficult times.
Unfortunately, Guenther Steiner will no longer serve as the Haas F1 team principal. He has been replaced by an unnamed individual whose views on the team’s future are more aligned with Gene Haas. As a result, the American team is expected to have a smoother season ahead.
