Guenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, has expressed openness to returning to the F1 paddock in a leadership role, but only under specific conditions that allow him full control. Since departing Haas at the end of the 2023 season, Steiner has considered resuming a team principal position, emphasizing the need for a project whose vision he genuinely supports.
Background on Steiner’s Tenure at Haas
Steiner was instrumental in shaping Haas’s unique approach, forging key partnerships with Ferrari and Dallara that helped the team achieve early competitiveness compared to other recent F1 entrants. During his tenure, Haas secured its highest championship finish in 2018, placing fifth. However, the team experienced struggles, including a complete failure to score points in 2020, which contributed to a sharp decline in results.
Steiner’s Conditions for Returning to Team Management
In a candid discussion on the Business of Sport podcast, Steiner made clear that any comeback to team management would require autonomy and shared ambition.
I go back to life as a TP if there is a project out there with a vision which I like, not to do a job. I’m not going back to do it just to do a job,
Steiner said. He further added,
Would I go back to run a team? Yeah, but it needs to be how I want to run it, not somebody else likes to run it.
He emphasized the need to lead based on his own beliefs, stating
To get the best out of me, [I need to do] what I think, not what other people think.
Steiner’s Perspective on Team Ownership in Formula 1
When asked about the current state of team ownership in Formula 1, Steiner noted the decline of private ownership, pointing out that most teams today are controlled by manufacturers or large corporate entities. He highlighted that Haas remains the only team primarily owned by an individual.
There is no real owner. There’s a few owners out there but they are now owned by big corporates, big teams,
Steiner explained. Reflecting on the situation, he added,
There is only one team owned by an individual which is Haas. All the other ones, even Lawrence Stroll’s [Aston Martin] is partly owned by the company.
Why Returning to Haas Is Not an Option for Steiner
Despite his openness to a return as a team principal, Steiner ruled out rejoining Haas, citing a clear boundary.
So for sure I’m not going to work for Gene Haas. I don’t have to explain that one.
Looking Ahead: Potential Impact of Steiner’s Return
Guenther Steiner’s insistence on clear leadership and aligned vision underscores the challenges teams face when integrating management styles with broader corporate interests in Formula 1. His potential return to a team principal role could signal a shift in how smaller or privately owned teams operate, particularly if they offer the independence he demands. As the Formula 1 landscape combines growing corporate influence with the need for innovation, Steiner’s approach may appeal to teams seeking a more autonomous figure at the helm.
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