After a dismal 2023 season that saw Haas finish at the bottom of the constructors’ table, the team’s owner, Gene Haas, grew impatient with the lack of progress and opted not to renew Guenther Steiner’s contract as team principal.
Stepping into Steiner’s shoes, former trackside engineering director Ayao Komatsu was promoted to the role, while Steiner returned to the paddock as a TV pundit for the season opener in Bahrain.
Reflecting on his departure in his first column for F1.com, Steiner admitted that he should have left Haas sooner, noting that his life had significantly improved since stepping away from the team. He confessed that staying at Haas for too long had clouded his judgment, preventing him from realizing that a change was necessary.
The grind of fighting for minor points positions without a realistic chance of contending for podiums had begun to erode Steiner’s enthusiasm.
Despite Haas’s promising start in 2016, the team struggled to achieve significant success in subsequent years, leaving Steiner disillusioned with the prospect of perpetual midfield battles.
Drawing parallels with successful teams like Mercedes and Red Bull, Steiner emphasized the importance of patience and long-term planning in Formula 1. He expressed his desire to be part of a team capable of fighting at the front rather than settling for mediocrity in the midfield.
While Steiner didn’t rule out a return to Formula 1 in the future, he stressed that it would have to be the right project, executed correctly. His departure from Haas marks the end of an era for the team, but Steiner remains open to new opportunities that align with his ambitions and aspirations in the sport.
