Gene Haas cites team performance as the primary reason for Guenther Steiner’s departure

In a significant move for the Haas F1 Team, owner Gene Haas has officially confirmed the departure of Guenther Steiner, marking the end of Steiner’s 10-year tenure as the team principal. The decision, disclosed earlier this week, comes amidst a challenging period for the US-owned squad in recent Formula 1 seasons.

Haas, who entered the F1 grid in 2016 and achieved a notable fifth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship in the third year, highlighted team performance as the decisive factor behind Steiner’s exit. Despite early success, the team has struggled in the last few seasons, finishing at the bottom of the championship twice in the last three years.

Addressing the decision, Haas expressed, “It came down to performance. Here we are in our eighth year, over 160 races – we have never had a podium. The last couple of years, we’ve been 10th or ninth.” Haas clarified that the move was not a reflection of blame on Steiner but rather an opportune moment for a change in direction.

On the brink of the 2024 season, Haas appointed Ayao Komatsu as Steiner’s successor, promoting him from the Director of Engineering role. Komatsu, a familiar face within the team since its inception in 2016, brings a wealth of experience to the leadership position.

Haas emphasized the need for a different approach, stating, “We really do need something different because we weren’t really doing that well. Like I said, it all comes down to eight years in, dead last. Nothing more I can say on that.”

The team hopes that Komatsu’s technical and statistical focus will provide a fresh perspective and improve their on-track performance. Haas remains optimistic about the change, acknowledging the necessity for a shift in strategy as the team embarks on the upcoming season.