Guenther Steiner ‘stung’ by lack of proper Haas farewell

Guenther Steiner said he was “stung” at not having the chance to say goodbye to the Haas Formula 1 team after being informed by telephone last month that his contract as director was not being renewed.

Haas announced last Wednesday the shock departure of the 58-year-old Italian, accidental cult hero of the Netflix documentary series “Drive to Survive”.

“I didn't get the chance to say thank you to a few people when I left Haas F1. I would just like to thank everyone in the team who I didn't get to say goodbye to when I left,” Steiner told an audience at the International Autosport Show in Birmingham.

“It hurt me, but they all know me and they all know I appreciate what they did. It's always better to tell them, it would be nice to say, 'Hey guys, thanks for what you did for the team.”

Speaking for the first time since announcing he was being replaced by Japanese engineer Ayao Komatsu, Steiner said he received the call from team owner Gene Haas between Christmas and New Year, and said that he would not be in a hurry to return to the paddock.

“If there's something interesting and challenging, yes, but just looking for a job just to stay in F1, maybe that's not what I want,” he said. declared.

Gene Haas said earlier in the week that Steiner's departure from the team that finished last overall in 2023 was entirely due to performance.

Steiner indicated, however, that the team's outsourced business model, taking as much from its engine partner Ferrari as the rules allow and spending far less than its rivals, might have had its day.

“Everyone is getting stronger, investing a lot in the future because Formula 1, I think, is on a very good path to where it's going now and that's what's needed to stay competitive “Steiner said.

“On the other hand, I see where others are going and the model that we started with at the beginning, I think, was a very good model. But maybe it's no longer relevant over time.”