“Big weight off my shoulders,” Guenther Steiner relieved to be sacked from Haas F1 team

Guenther Steiner had led the Haas F1 team ever since the inception of the project almost a decade ago.

“Big weight off my shoulders,” Guenther Steiner relieved to be sacked from Haas F1 team

Guenther Steiner [L] Gene Haas [R] (images via IMAGO)

Guenther Steiner was ousted from the Haas F1 team right before the start of the 2024 F1 season. The Italian-American had played a pivotal role in the establishment of Gene Haas‘ F1 squad in 2016. However, Steiner was in disagreement with Haas over the needed investment in the team and subsequently was forced to exit his role. Now, the 58-year-old has expressed his relief over the same.

The Italian-American claimed that a massive weight was off his shoulders after leaving Haas. Guenther Steiner had managed to keep the American team afloat during difficult times including the Covid-19 pandemic. Steiner mentioned that he did not understand the mindset of Gene Haas in not bringing new investments. Although, the 58-year-old highlighted that the team owner can have his own direction regarding the future of the squad.

It's a big weight off my shoulders. No, I don't understand it, but he [Gene Haas] can do what he wants.
Guenther Steiner told RacingNews365
YouTube video

Guenther Steiner was replaced by Ayao Komatsu as the new Team Principal of Haas. Komatsu’s views are more in line with Gene Haas over the squad’s future. Steiner reckoned that he respected the views of the American owner. However, the 58-year-old affirmed that according to him, this direction would lead the team to nowhere.

I understand that. I respect that. I would never do that, and that was my opinion, because for me, it's a way to nowhere.

What’s next for the Haas F1 team after Guenther Steiner’s exit?

The Haas F1 team lost Guenther Steiner and Technical Chief Simone Resta within a couple of days. This puts the American team in a tough spot for the start of the upcoming F1 season. So much so that Komatsu admitted that Haas would likely be right at the tail-end of the pecking order in the early rounds of the year.

Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner.
Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner. (Via IMAGO)

The American team will need to find a new direction of development that could allow Haas to make progress without the need for added investment. This comes at a time when rivals such as VCARB and Sauber-run Stake F1 team are getting a significant influx of funds.

Certainly, Guenther Steiner’s exit will have a huge impact on the Haas F1 team. New team boss Ayao Komatsu will have pressure on his shoulders to ensure that the American team does not fall behind its rivals in the coming weeks. However, it seems that times are going to be tough for Gene Haas’ squad this year.

In case you missed it: