F1 News: Guenther Steiner Opens Up On "Clarity" Following Haas Exit - "Stayed Too Long"
In a candid reflection on his tenure with the Haas F1 team, former team principal Guenther Steiner admitted to gaining perspective and recognising his prolonged stay post-departure in January. The Italian's exit followed a challenging season for Haas, culminating in a last-place finish in the constructors' championship.
Key Takeaways:
- Guenther Steiner, after leaving Haas F1, acknowledges staying with the team longer than necessary.
- Steiner's departure came after a disappointing season, leading to a change in leadership within the team.
- The former team principal shares insights on gaining clarity and the challenges of denial within high-pressure roles.
Haas Press Image
After a significant tenure at the helm of Haas F1, beginning with the team's entrance into Formula 1 in 2016, Guenther Steiner's journey came to a halt following a notably difficult 2023 season. Under his guidance, Haas faced numerous challenges, culminating in their position at the bottom of the constructors' standings. This outcome prompted Gene Haas, the team owner, to decide against renewing Steiner's contract, opting instead for Ayao Komatsu, the former trackside engineering director, to take over the reins.
Steiner, who recently made a return to the F1 paddock as a television pundit during the Bahrain Grand Prix, had previously voiced a divergence in visions for the team's future, particularly concerning investment post-new regulations. However, it was his introspective column on the official F1 website that shed light on his personal journey post-Haas.
“Life has been good since I left Haas ahead of this season.
“These last few weeks are the first time I’ve switched off from F1 for around a decade. This time has been good for me. The longer time goes on, the more I can see that I stayed at Haas too long.
“When you step away, you get clarity – and you can see what you need to do. While you’re there, you’re in denial, you think you can do it but you cannot.”