Guenther Steiner sacked by Haas ending 10-year Formula 1 stint for Drive to Survive cult hero

Published: 17:13, 10 Jan 2024Updated: 17:37, 10 Jan 2024Formula 1 fan favourite Guenther Steiner has departed his role as Haas team principal.

The Italian star of Netflix series Drive to Survive has left the organisation with immediate effect, being replaced by director of engineering, Ayao Komatsu.

But a move to Alpine may not be straightforward with Steiner calling RicciardoCredit: AFP
Steiner has led Haas’ F1 operations for the last 10 years, including their arrival onto the grid in 2016.

The American outlet completed the 2021 season with zero points as they focused on the 2022 regulation changes, and earned a jump up the grid to eighth in the constructor’s standings as their reward.

However, last season they were back book-ending the grid, leading to the departure of one of the sport’s most famous executives.

Steiner’s popularity boomed thanks to the hugely-popular Drive to Survive, becoming a staple of the hit documentary from its introduction in 2019.

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His use of strong language and run-ins with his drivers earned him cult status, while he was praised for his handling of the departure of Nikita Mazepin in 2022.

Despite his off-track heroics, things failed to improve from the heights of a fifth-place constructors finish in 2018, even with the hugely experienced duo of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen in 2023.

Responding to the news, the latter posted on social media: “Thanks, Günther. Thanks for taking me on the journey in 2017 and thanks for bringing me on board again in 2022.

“It has been both fun and tremendously challenging – but never boring. So long and all the best.”