Surprise Departure: Steiner Sacked as Haas F1 Team Principal

Guenther Steiner expressed his surprise at being sacked as Haas F1 team principal, stating, “I didn’t see it coming.” The colorful 58-year-old was dismissed by owner Gene Haas after the team finished 10th in the 2023 season.

Despite acknowledging dissatisfaction with the results, Steiner, who had led the team since its entry into F1 in 2016, was caught off guard. The renewal of his contract was pending, and Steiner, known for his animated appearances on the Netflix show “Drive to Survive,” had attracted attention for his lively personality. Haas has never achieved a podium finish, and Steiner, reflecting on his role in “Drive to Survive,” expressed no regrets, emphasizing its positive impact on the team’s visibility.

Ayao Komatsu, the former director of engineering, will take over as the team principal. The 2024 F1 season is set to begin with pre-season testing in Bahrain in late February, followed by the opening grand prix on March 2 at the same track.