Guenther Steiner believes Haas F1 could continue to struggle if they continue operating under their existing model. His departure from the American outfit marks a significant shift in the team.
Steiner’s departure from Haas is the first major F1 news headline of 2024, owing to its unexpected nature and implications. The 58-year-old led the team from its inception, navigating them during the best years of 2018 and the financial nightmares of 2020.
Whilst the former Haas team principal wasn’t without his flaws, few would diminish his contributions.
Aside from overseeing a team that punched well above its weight in those first seasons, Steiner created much of the fanbase Haas now enjoyed.
His departure then raises two dilemmas. The first concerns performance, with Gene Haas rejecting the notion that more investment is a necessity. This will force the US outfit to operate at a financial deficit to its rivals.
2JTYPD8 Zandvoort, Netherlands . 02nd Sep, 2022. STEINER Guenther (ita), Team Principal of Haas F1 team, KOMATSU Ayao (jpn), Chief Engineer of Haas F1 Team, portrait during the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2022, 15th round of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship from September 2 to 4, 2022 on the Zandvoort Circuit, in Netherlands, Belgium – Photo: Florent Gooden / Dppi/DPPI/LiveMedia Credit: Independent Photo Agency/Alamy Live News
Additionally, outsourcing production and development elsewhere will continue. According to Guenther Steiner, this could be a significant issue:
“If you look at all the other teams… they are not gearing up now. They started to gear up [previously].
“Some two years ago, some three years ago, some last year – so everybody is getting stronger, investing a lot in the future.
“F1, I think, is on a very good path where it is going at the moment, and that’s what is needed to do to stay competitive.
“The model we started in the beginning, I think it was a very good model, but maybe it’s not time relevant anymore. But who am I to say that?”
Dismissing the early achievements at Haas would be a disservice, especially given the scepticism that surrounded their debut in 2016.
To their credit, most of their initial results can be attributed to their model. Unlike previous new entrants (Caterham, HRT, etc.), the US squad showed commendable pragmatism and awareness of their own weaknesses.
However, Formula 1 is in a different state from what it was almost a decade ago.
The field is substantially more competitive. Moreover, the budget cap gives little excuse for smaller teams to shy away from investment.
If the VF-24 is uncompetitive, then the impact of Haas losing someone widely seen as their heart and soul will be magnified.
Bahrain will provide some of the answers to whether Haas can remain competitive next month.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
