Guenther Steiner has spoken publicly for the primary time because it was introduced that he and the Haas F1 Staff had parted methods with instant impact, revealing extra of the background to the information, sharing his message for the squad’s staff and pondering his personal future plans.
Earlier this week, Haas confirmed that Steiner – who had led the operation since their F1 debut again in 2016 – was leaving his position getting ready to the 2024 season, with the staff’s Director of Engineering, Ayao Komatsu, stepping as much as substitute him.
READ MORE: Guenther Steiner leaves position as Haas Staff Principal with instant impact as Ayao Komatsu promoted
Steiner offers his facet of the story
On Saturday, Steiner made an look on the Autosport Worldwide Present in Birmingham, UK and supplied his preliminary ideas on the reshuffle – the favored Italian and Drive To Survive star receiving a heat reception from the gathered crowd.
“Can I begin with simply one thing from my facet?” Steiner started as he settled right into a dialog with Sky Sports activities F1’s David Croft. “I didn’t have the possibility to say thanks to a couple folks after I left Haas F1. I might identical to to thank all of the staff members which I couldn’t give a correct goodbye [to] after I left.
“I wish to say additionally thanks to all of the followers who supported Haas whereas I used to be there – it’s implausible. It’s a kind of events, with so many individuals right here. Thanks for coming as nicely, [for me] to say thanks to all people for the help I obtained and I’m getting.
“It stung [not being able to say goodbye to the team], however all of them know me and that I nonetheless recognize what they did. It could be good to say, ‘Hey guys, thanks for all that you simply did’, as a result of the staff began very small, working on adrenaline a number of occasions, they usually did a great job. Clearly it doesn’t make you cheerful not saying thanks, however I feel I did it now.”
How and when Steiner was knowledgeable
Steiner then obtained right down to the main points of his departure and confirmed that staff proprietor Gene Haas reached out between Christmas and New Yr with the bombshell choice.
ANALYSIS: The important thing causes behind Guenther Steiner’s shock Haas departure
“It was a cellphone name,” Steiner said. “Gene known as me and mentioned that he doesn’t wish to prolong the contract which was up on the finish of the season, and that was it. I don’t know [if it was a surprise]. It’s at all times just a little little bit of a shock, however then ultimately, he owns the staff, he can do what he desires and it’s his choice.
“I feel [whether a change was needed] could be answered solely in time. I can not reply that one as a result of in any other case I might say what is occurring sooner or later. Gene thought that’s the means he desires to take the staff ahead and, as I mentioned, it’s his choice, not my one. He owns the place, so should you personal one thing you’ve obtained the fitting to do what you need.”
Talking in an unique interview with Formula1.com, Gene Haas made clear that the decision to switch Steiner “got here right down to efficiency”, with the staff slipping to the underside of the constructors’ standings in 2023 – scoring simply 12 factors from 22 races – and never inserting increased than eighth over the past 5 seasons.
Haas even used the phrase “embarrassed” given his outfit’s relationship with Ferrari, which has been in place because the very begin of their F1 journey and sees them take a number of elements – together with energy models – from the well-known Italian producer.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘It got here right down to efficiency’ – Gene Haas on Guenther Steiner’s departure and what it means for his staff’s future
Steiner’s ideas on Haas’s future
When requested about Haas’s mannequin, and if it’s the very best strategy shifting ahead, Steiner took the chance to level out simply how a lot F1 has modified lately, notably with the introduction of a price cap and the way closely some rival groups have been investing round that – whether or not that be new factories, wind tunnels or devoted engine divisions.
“Since we had this mannequin 10 years in the past once we began, F1 has modified rather a lot,” he mentioned. “You guys have seen how a lot F1 modified after the Covid interval, how a lot it grew, how a lot greater it obtained, how a lot completely different it obtained with the funds cap, how we used the funds cap to get concepts of methods to do issues…
Steiner jokes he’s ‘completely satisfied that 2023 is over quickly’ after ‘not a implausible yr’
“For those who take a look at all the opposite groups… they don’t seem to be gearing up now, they began to gear up [already], some two years in the past, some three years in the past, some final yr, so all people is getting stronger, investing rather a lot sooner or later. F1, I feel, is on an excellent path the place it’s going in the intervening time, and that’s what is required to do to remain aggressive.
“I don’t know Gene Haas’s plans for the longer term. He didn’t share them with me – and he doesn’t need to, by the way in which! I wish to make that one clear as nicely; I’m truly not likely involved in that anymore. The mannequin we began to start with, I feel it was an excellent mannequin, however perhaps it’s not time related anymore. However who am I to say that?”
READ MORE: Haas Technical Director Simone Resta departs position after conclusion of mortgage association
Steiner’s favorite moments at Haas
Placing latest challenges and this week’s information to 1 facet, Steiner took a second to look again on a few of the highlights from his time as Haas’s staff boss – initially choosing out two reminiscences from their debut season.
“After we went out testing in 2016 in Barcelona for the primary time,” he recalled. “You say, ‘Wow, it actually occurred, we are actually on the racetrack.’ Then clearly once we scored factors at our first race in Australia. There have been so many naysayers on the time, all these folks [saying], ‘This may by no means work, the way it’s finished’, you then go on the market and rating factors, so it’s fairly cool.
“However I feel over the ten years within the staff there have been a number of good moments. Ending fifth within the championship in 2018, in our third yr, that was one thing I don’t suppose many individuals have finished earlier than, so we at all times keep in mind these days.”
When Kevin Magnussen’s shock pole at Interlagos in 2022 was talked about, he jumped again in: “I forgot that second! You suppose you’re simply dreaming, then it will get finished and it’s implausible. We didn’t have our greatest yr there, then on the finish of the season you do that pole and it was like, ‘Wow, we did this, we had a pole as a staff.’”
READ MORE: ‘Positively a personality’ – Magnussen and Hulkenberg pay tribute to departing Haas Staff Principal Steiner
What’s subsequent for Steiner in F1?
Steiner then thanked Magnussen and his present staff mate Nico Hulkenberg for his or her “very cool” social media messages, which paid tribute to his distinctive character and wished him all the very best for the longer term – a future that has but to be labored out.
Certainly, because the mud settles on the announcement and the 2024 season approaches – with automobile launches and testing simply across the nook – what are Steiner’s plans for the upcoming yr?
“If F1 desires me, I don’t know that,” he replied when requested if he desires to remain within the sport, prompting one other big cheer from the gang. “I suppose I’ve to seek out one thing to do. In the meanwhile I’m very chilled out in regards to the scenario, I’m not in a rush.
“Folks will see me round in F1; I do know lots of people, I’ve obtained a number of pals, and for me simply hanging round a yr, doing the odd job, talking with folks, that does it for me. If one thing attention-grabbing comes alongside that challenges me, sure, however simply staying in F1 simply to do a job, perhaps it’s not what I wish to do.”
READ MORE: Lawrence Barretto’s 5 daring predictions for the 2024 season – which of those might materialise?
He continued: “I prefer to be with folks however it must be one thing the place I can see a future. I wish to do [a job] the place you possibly can obtain one thing and should you strive you get someplace, then I’ll do it. However as I mentioned, in the intervening time I simply wish to relax just a little bit. It was 10 powerful years behind me. I’m nonetheless good, I’ve obtained loads of stuff to do, loads of stuff to scrub up at residence – simply ask my spouse!
“Additionally, it’s good to stick with the household. My daughter is 14 years previous, she’s fairly demanding, she’s obtained an opinion on every little thing. I attempt to handle now that one, which appears to be tougher than working an F1 staff in the intervening time! I’m doing this for a number of months however I might be round at some races, and other people might even see me on TV.”