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Zak Brown lays down 2024 target as McLaren send Max Verstappen warning shot.
“We hope to start the season kind of where we finished off. It’ll be interesting to see where everybody starts [next season] but we’re feeling good about our development. I think we learned a lot [from last year] so I anticipate a much stronger start to ’24 than we had in ’23.” Zak Brown.
10:00, Sun, Jan 7, 2024
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express
McLaren were regularly Max Verstappen's closest challengers in 2023, and Zak Brown's team are setting their sights higher in 2024. Zak Brown has full confidence in the McLaren team ahead of the 2024 season. Zak Brown has revealed that McLaren are hoping to kickstart their 2024 season with a similar level of performance to the end of the 2023 campaign. The Woking-based team enjoyed a sensational second half of the year following an extremely testing start.
McLaren’s confidence will come as a concern to Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The Woking-based team were the most consistent challengers to the reigning world champions after the summer break and possess two drivers capable of fighting for race victories given the chance.
Piastri was also feeling positive heading into his sophomore year in F1. The young Aussie enjoyed the most eye-catching rookie season since Lewis Hamilton burst onto the scene back in 2007, and is hoping to to follow up his maiden race win with more successes in 2024.
‘Zak Brown lays down 2024 target’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Max-Verstappen
Verstappen names McLaren duo as most promising F1 driver pairing
4th January 2024, 0:0
Written by Keith Collantine
Asked who he would pick to drive for a Formula 1 team – excluding himself – the reigning world champion named McLaren team mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. “I would take Lando and Oscar,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “So the McLaren pairing. Both are good. Lando is just a little older than Oscar. I think Oscar is a fast rookie. He still has things to learn, such as improving his racing pace. But from what I see, he’s a smart guy. He will win his races.”
‘McLaren duo’;
https://www.racefans.net/2024/01/04/...nd-up-04-01-6/
McLaren warned they ‘won’t get the best of Lando Norris’ with Oscar Piastri pressure
06 Jan 2024 3:45 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
F1 analyst Peter Windsor stressed that Oscar Piastri as Lando Norris’ McLaren team-mate will not get the best out of Norris. Windsor warned that the pressure coming from an impressive Piastri is far from positive for Norris. “I’ve said all year long that having somebody as good as Oscar in that car, we’re going to see a lot more from him obviously as the McLaren gets better and better and it’s a good car now,” said Windsor on his YouTube channel.
“The better Oscar is getting, on any given weekend, the more it affects Lando Norris, as I’ve been saying ever since Oscar Piastri signed to drive for McLaren. It’s not going to get the best from Lando Norris, this isn’t what he needs in the other car.”
“And I’m sure McLaren don’t even think about that, because they think, ‘Wow, we’ve got two great racing drivers, Lando is our guy and Oscar is our guy’, but they’re not getting the best from Lando Norris with Oscar there for sure.”
‘Won’t get the best of Lando Norris’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/peter-...t-lando-norris
PIASTRI MAINTAINS FAIR PLAY CHARACTERISTICS THROUGHOUT HIS STELLAR ROOKIE SEASON
What did the young driver take with him from the junior categories?
January 6, 2024
Lena Ferle
FormulaNerds
Oscar Piastri, who clinched victory in the sprint race in Qatar, garnered praise throughout his debut Formula 1 season. The Australian driver demonstrated his willingness to engage in intense battles with more seasoned competitors. According to Motorsport.com, the former FIA F2 and F3 champion emphasised the importance of proving himself as a formidable competitor despite lacking top-tier experience.
When asked if he felt underestimated by his peers, the rookie responded, “Not so much. Of course, there’s an element of respect and I guess racing people how you want to be raced in some ways. I guess I always try and race people hard, but fair. At the beginning of the season or beginning of your career, it’s always important to show it to people that you’re not a pushover because it’s not a nice thing to have.”
‘Garnered praise’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/pi...rookie-season/
Four reasons why McLaren look best placed to bring fight to Red Bull
06 Jan 2024 7:45 AM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
The drivers: Let’s start with one of the most crucial ingredients to an F1 team’s success– the drivers.
The MTC: For the first time since 2009, McLaren’s chassis will be made and tested entirely within the McLaren Technology Centre.
The staff: Another new arrival to the MTC is that of Rob Marshall and David Sanchez. While they may not be household names, both have played a role in title-winning operations.
The car: The final point to mention is a rather crucial one, the car.
‘McLaren look best placed’;
https://www.planetf1.com/features/re...fight-red-bull
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri given daunting McLaren target to hit in 2024 F1 season
McLaren's impressive improvement over the 2023 season gives chief executive Zak Brown the confidence to expect Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to set a strong pace early this year
07:06 Thu, 04 Jan 2024.
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
Zak Brown expects his McLaren team to start the 2024 Formula 1 season "much stronger" than they did last term. "It's great to have the driver line-up that we have. We look at what we need to be a world championship team again, you've got to have two great drivers and I think we're comfortable we can tick that box."
Not only do McLaren have two strong talents at their disposal, they are both still in the early stages of their F1 careers. Lando Norris is very experienced in the sport now but is still only 24, while Oscar Piastri is just 22 and looks to have the world at his feet after a stellar rookie season.
Both of them are ambitions and will be aiming for the title if provided with a car capable of competing with and beating the Red Bulls. And Brown is wary that such a scenario is likely to lead to tension between his starlets.
‘Daunting McLaren target’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...brown-31802091
McLaren “feeling good” about F1 2024 progress
January 3, 2024
By: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports
McLaren is optimistic about its chances in 2024, having concluded last season in increasingly strong form. Despite this recent success, the greatest challenge is yet to come. As demonstrated by the AMR23’s decline, staying at the front is a greater challenge than getting there.
After all, one-off results are achievable for most semi-competitive outfits. Only the best can compete at the sharp end for extended periods. This is why, amongst many other reasons, 2024 is so essential for McLaren. Aside from the obvious importance of winning races, the next twelve months could show how far the team has progressed.
Zak Brown has explained what the team’s objectives are: “We hope to start the season kind of where we finished off,” he told Sky F1. It will be interesting to see where everybody starts, but we’re feeling good about our development. I think we learned a lot, so I anticipate a much stronger start to 2024 than we had in 2023.”
“Feeling good”;
https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...2024-progress/
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Legendary Ferrari designer playing intriguing part in 2024 concept – report.
Former Ferrari engineer Rory Byrne is reportedly offering his advice to his old team as they prepare their 2024 car.
07 Jan 2024 5:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Byrne was chief designer at Ferrari from 1996 to 2006 before taking up a consultant role he holds to this day and has reportedly been spotted at Maranello offering his experience to his successors. According to a report, Byrne has been helping with the design of the 2024 car, codenamed project 676, as the team approach their launch date of February 13.
This would follow what team principal Fred Vasseur recently said when he suggested the new car would be “95%” different from its predecessor. “Revolution – I don’t know if it is the right word because we have the same regulation now three years in a row that you can’t change massively the situation,” he told media at a Christmas dinner in Maranello.
“Again, it’s a matter of tenths of seconds. It means it’s all 0.1 or 0.2% performance that we are looking for. It’s not five [percent]. For sure, we have to do a step. I don’t underestimate the step. We are changing 95% of the components of the car. Perhaps you can consider that it’s a revolution.”
“Revolution”;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...ign-rory-byrne
Key Ferrari F1 figure LEAVES in major strategic overhaul
Sunday 7 January 2024 10:57
Sam Cook
GPFans
Ferrari race engineer Ignacio Rueda is set to depart the team ahead of the 2024 season, according to a report from Italian media. Having spent eight seasons as head of race strategy at the Maranello-based outfit, Rueda was replaced in that particular role at the start of 2023 by Ravin Jain, and adopted a more factory-based role with the team.
That came after a reshuffle within Ferrari following a 2022 season in which both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were hampered by poor strategic decisions during races. Team principal Mattia Binotto was replaced in his role by Fred Vasseur and, although fewer mistakes crept in during 2023, Leclerc was still, at times, left frustrated by his team's decisions.
‘Major strategic overhaul’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ahead-of-2024/
Eye-opening Ferrari pace gains with another high-profile exit on cards – F1 rumour
06 Jan 2024 11:30 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Ferrari are reportedly making serious pace gains with their F1 2024 challenger, though look set to lose former strategy chief Ińaki Rueda from their ranks.
And as per Corriere dello Sport, Ferrari are doing their part in the bid to reach Red Bull’s level, with their new challenger said to be already roughly seven-tenths of a second up on what the SF-23 could achieve by the end of its service.
One-lap performance was not much of an issue for Ferrari, who claimed six pole positions during F1 2023, but transforming that into race pace against Red Bull was a common sticking point to address with their F1 2024 creation.
‘Eye-opening Ferrari pace gains’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-rum...aki-rueda-exit
Report: Key name to leave Ferrari's F1 strategy department
06 January 1:50PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365
Ignacio Rueda is set to depart Ferrari's Formula 1 strategy set-up, according to a report from Italian media. Corriere dello Sport has stated that Rueda will no longer be part of Ferrari's strategy department when the new season gets underway in Bahrain.
The report added that Rueda remains on strong terms with Ferrari and will continue to be employed by the team, albeit in other departments that may include its sportscar operations.
Rueda has been part of Ferrari's F1 set-up for many years, joining as its Head of Race Strategy in 2015. However, Rueda returned to a factory-based role in Maranello last year after he was replaced by Ravin Jain.
‘Ferrari's F1 strategy department’;
https://racingnews365.com/report-key...egy-department
Crash test results: Rumoured details emerge on Ferrari and Aston Martin challengers
07 Jan 2024 1:00 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Ferrari and Aston Martin have reportedly both passed the FIA crash tests with their F1 2024 cars. According to Sky Italia, Ferrari’s 2024 car – codenamed Project 676 – passed at the first attempt just before Christmas, with the news of their success only arriving recently.
Ferrari, the only team other than Red Bull to win a race in 2023, will launch their new car on February 13, eight days before the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
‘Rumoured details emerge’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/crash-...i-aston-martin
The story behind the huge missing piece in Ferrari’s trophy cabinet
07 Jan 2024 9:15 AM
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com
Enzo Ferrari oversaw countless successes in both Formula 1 and endurance racing, but there’s still one big race victory the Italian team has coveted: The Indianapolis 500.
Alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 500-mile race at the 2.5-mile banked oval track in Indiana represented one of the greatest races in the world as Enzo Ferrari began exploring the motorsport world.
‘Missing piece in Ferrari’s trophy cabinet’;
https://www.planetf1.com/features/fe...issing-victory
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Big Mercedes W15 question posed with engine power strength assessed.
A former F1 driver has questioned whether Mercedes’ car-making capabilities were masked by a superior engine during their dominance.
09 Jan 2024 5:00 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Former F1 and DTM racer Christijan Albers, now a part of Viaplay’s punditry team, said he wonders whether Mercedes’ performance levels during their years of dominance came about as a result of a vastly superior power unit and not thanks to superior car designs. “The question is whether Red Bull can [be] challenged [by] Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, or maybe Aston Martin next year,” he said in his column for De Telegraaf.
With the W14 going without a race victory – the first winless Mercedes design since 2011 – the new path for the 2024 W15 means all eyes are on the car Brackley rolls out for this season. But Albers has big questions about what is currently being manufactured in their factory.
“I wonder if Mercedes can still build a really good car at all,” he said. “After all, why were they so good in all those championship years before 2021? Was it the engine, the car, or a combination? I think it was mainly the engine. And that supremacy is gone now. Then I doubt they can crawl out of it.”;
‘W15 question posed’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...riority-theory
Did Mercedes make a mistake by beating Ferrari? 'Take what you can get'
09 January 2:00PM
Author Daan Daniels
Co-author Joris Mosterdijk
RacingNews365
Red Bull-affiliated simulator driver Rudy van Buren believes Mercedes was correct to take second place in the Constructors' standings after a showdown with Ferrari in the Abu Dhabi season finale, despite losing development time as a consequence.
The Silver Arrows had struggled to make a mark on the competition early on with its W14, though upgrades at the Monaco Grand Prix saw the team take a step forward.
With Lewis Hamilton and George Russell outperforming the joint effort of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at Yas Marina, Mercedes ensured it would finish runner-up to Red Bull at the end of a campaign dominated by the Milton Keynes-based outfit, which won all but one race.
'Take what you can get';
https://racingnews365.com/did-merced...at-you-can-get
Mercedes tease Russell with hilarious Golden Globes comparison
Tuesday 9 January 2024 22:57
Sam Cook
GPFans
Mercedes' social media team have brilliantly pointed out an uncanny resemblance between F1 driver George Russell and award-winning actor Cillian Murphy, while the latter claimed a Golden Globe in the 'best actor' category.
‘Golden Globes comparison’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...phy-lookalike/
Lewis Hamilton's pork scratchings? – F1 2024's craziest predictions
January 9th 2024
Author: James Elson
Motor Sport Magazine
In a long series of Instagram stories, which are added to a highlight reel labelled with emojis depicting a cow, a steak and a smiley face licking its lips respectively, Lewis ‘Still I Whine’ Hamilton tells the world he is finally returning to being the “real me” by renouncing veganism and diving head first back into the chicken nuggets.
“I’m no longer going to drink those frickin’ awful vegan protein shakes, or anything else green!” he says, adding “Have you smelt those beaker shake things if you don’t wash them up within 0.5sec?”
The seven-time world champ simultaneously announces a new multi-billion-pound pork scratchings endorsement deal with Black Country Snacks, whose logo includes a chequered flag pattern – how very convenient.
‘Lewis Hamilton's pork scratchings?’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#
Hamilton two-year failure will 'eat at him'
08 January 6:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365
Former F1 driver Christijan Albers believes Lewis Hamilton's failure to secure a race win in the past two seasons will "eat" at the Mercedes driver. Seven-time World Champion Hamilton picked up the last of his 103 race victories at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - the penultimate race of his epic tussle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
“Hamilton looked quite frustrated at the end of the season,” Albers observed. “I can imagine that too. Sure, he’s had years where he beat everyone, but has now gone two full seasons without a win. That’s going to eat at you. He wants more and more, but struggles with the fact that the Mercedes is not going faster. Then at the end of the year, you are exhausted and tired. He hasn’t had that boost that you need for a while.”
'Eat at him';
https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-t...ill-eat-at-him
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Guenther Steiner sacked by Haas in brutal results call as replacement boss named.
Guenther Steiner has been sacked as Haas team principal, with director of engineering Ayao Komatsu being promoted to replace him.
17:00, Wed, Jan 10, 2024
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express
Steiner, a popular figure with F1 fans, was the team's first boss after convincing owner Gene Haas to branch out into the sport a decade ago. The 58-year-old helped to build the team from the ground up, with his own popularity being of great commercial benefit given their lack of funding compared to their rivals.
However, their consistently poor results have ultimately resulted in his dismissal, with Haas opting to make a change in a bid to improve their fortunes. In a statement, the team's owner said: "I'd like to start by extending my thanks to Guenther Steiner for all his hard work over the past decade and I wish him well for the future.”
‘Sacked’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...cement-F1-news
Haas F1 drops Guenther Steiner as team principal after another dismal season for the American team.
Guenther Steiner, the first employee hired by Haas F1 and one of the stars of the Netflix docuseries on Formula One, has not been retained as team principal after a decade with the series' only American team.
Published: 16:57, 10 January 2024
By Associated Press
Mail Online
Gene Haas made the announcement Wednesday and said director of engineering Ayo Komatsu, who started with Haas as chief race engineer in its 2016 debut season, will now oversee the competition elements as team principal.
Haas in a statement thanked Steiner "for all his hard work over the past decade" but was short of praise for the man who built the Haas F1 team. "Moving forward as an organization it was clear we need to improve our on-track performances. In appointing Ayao Komatsu as team principal we fundamentally have engineering at the heart of our management," Haas said.
‘After another dismal season’;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap...ican-team.html
Guenther Steiner sacked by Haas ending 10-year Formula 1 stint for Drive to Survive cult hero
10th January 2024, 5:13 pm
Connor Andrews
talkSPORT
Steiner has led Haas’ F1 operations for the last 10 years, including their arrival onto the grid in 2016. Haas completed the 2021 season with zero points as they focused on the 2022 regulation changes, and earned a jump up the grid to eight 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.
‘Ending 10-year Formula 1 stint’;
https://talksport.com/sport/1707174/
Bombshell departure at Haas after argument with team owner – report
10 Jan 2024 12:04 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com
Haas senior staff member Simone Resta has left the team just a few weeks before the 2024 car will be unveiled. According to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, technical director Resta has left due to disagreements with owner Gene Haas and a reported lack of “motivation.”
This leaves Haas without a key job filled just weeks before they were due to unveil their 2024 car, the Ferrari-powered VF-24. Resta reportedly discussed the plans of the team with owner Gene Haas but was left unsatisfied and as a result, has walked out on the newest addition to the F1 grid.
Gene Haas wanted the car to follow the design of Red Bull instead which is reported as being the main sticking point between the two parties. As to where Resta may go, a return to Ferrari could be on the cards after he first joined them in 2001 while a move to Audi could also be a possibility.
‘Bombshell departure’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/haas-s...e-simone-resta
Blow for Haas as technical director Simone Resta reportedly quits after F1 2023 struggles
10 Jan 2024
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
Simone Resta has reportedly resigned from his role as technical director of the Haas team following a disappointing 2023 F1 season.
The 53-year-old Italian is likely to either return to Ferrari or take up an offer from Sauber, where he has “several admirers”, according to Motorsport, who also report that Resta disagreed with the development approach pushed by team owner Gene Haas.
‘Blow for Haas’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104321...2023-struggles
Haas technical director Simone Resta departs team
10/01/2024 at 16:41
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
In a significant development ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Haas technical director Simone Resta has stepped down from his role.
Resta's departure comes as part of a restructuring within the Haas organization, with Ferrari – who loaned out the Italian engineer to the US
‘Simone Resta departs team’;
https://f1i.com/news/497656-haas-tec...arts-team.html
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Kevin Magnussen sends message to Guenther Steiner after Haas team principal’s sacking.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen has sent a message to Guenther Steiner after the 58-year-old was sacked as team principal on Wednesday.
Wed 10 January 2024 17:30
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer
Posting on social media, Magnussen said: “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.”
Steiner was always one of the biggest characters in the paddock and neutrals will miss him as a result. He rarely minced his words and made his feelings clear whenever either of his drivers made a mistake. However, the timing of Haas’s decision is strange with the team set to reveal their latest car in the next few weeks.
‘Never boring’;
https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/kev...ipals-sacking/
Martin Brundle hints at 'friction' between Guenther Steiner and Haas after brutal sacking
Martin Brundle has weighed in after Guenther Steiner was relieved of his duties by Haas.
17:58, Wed, Jan 10, 2024
By Archie Griggs
Daily and Sunday Express
Martin Brundle has suggested that Guenther Steiner may have left Haas on a sour note after the news of his sacking was confirmed on Wednesday. The 58-year-old was relieved of his duties after a decade-long spell as team principal, with director of engineering Ayao Komatsu stepping up to replace him.
Reacting to the news on X, formerly Twitter, Brundle pointed to the lack of a statement from Steiner in Haas' official press release as a sign that things may have turned ugly behind the scenes.
‘Hints at 'friction'!’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...r-Haas-F1-news
Revealed: The reasons for Guenther Steiner and Haas’ “disagreement” and split
10 Jan 2024
James Dielhenn
Crash.Net
Guenther Steiner’s contract was always due to expire at the end of last season but it was reportedly Haas who decided not to give him a new deal. The team chose not to extend it, BBC and Sky report, meaning he was not technically fired.
The split was due to underlying disputes. “The Italian and the team had different visions on the future,” Sky reported. Those differences were reported elsewhere too. “I understand Steiner and owner Gene Haas had differing views on the team’s path forward and thus it was decided to go their separate ways,” F1.com’s Lawrence Barretto wrote.
Gene Haas hinted at the reasons for this split in his official statement: "Moving forward, it was clear we needed to improve our on-track performances.” Tellingly, the Haas statement announcing Steiner’s exit did not include a comment from the man himself.
‘Revealed’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/news/104323...ment-and-split
ANALYSIS: The key reasons behind Guenther Steiner’s shock Haas departure
10 January 2024, 17:10
Lawrence Barretto
F1 Correspondent & Presenter
Formula One - Official Site
2024 was just days old when news broke that Guenther Steiner – the unlikely star of Netflix’s F1 docuseries Drive to Survive – had parted ways with the Haas team he helped build from scratch and entered into Formula 1 in 2016, with Ayao Komatsu promoted to the role.
In one way, it might come as a shock. After all, Steiner has fought tooth-and-nail to not just keep the team going but try and make it consistently competitive with the smallest budget on the grid. It’s become his baby.
That Haas have survived eight seasons – and are the only new team to enter F1 in the last two decades to have become a permanent fixture and stable outfit – is a remarkable achievement, and one for which Steiner is owed the lion’s share of the credit. For the relationship to end after everything Steiner has put into the team, and when they have the foundations to kick on with the right strategy, is a sad day for everyone involved.
‘Guenther Steiner’s shock Haas departure’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...hZxSJNGrc.html
'I don't swear much!' - Guenther Steiner's best bits from final season as Haas boss
10th January 2024, 17:14
Sky Sports
Watch back Guenther Steiner's best bits from his final season as Haas boss.
'I don't swear much!';
https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...n-as-hass-boss
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Things are getting crazy at Haas. First Simone Resta left the team and then Guenther Steiner sacked.
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‘What the hell is going on?’ Shock over sudden dumping of popular F1 boss.
“It’s disappointing and sad not being a part of the team going forward, but I wish the team all the best for the future. If any team deserves success, it’s them. I will always root for Haas,” said Steiner on X.
January 11th, 2024 6:37 am
AFP from Afp
Fox Sports (Australia)
Formula One outfit Haas on Wednesday parted ways with colourful team principal Guenther Steiner with the struggling American stable appointing Ayao Komatsu in his place. Steiner, 58, had been in charge of the team since it entered F1 in 2016 and has attracted much attention for his lively outbursts on the successful Netflix show ‘Drive to Survive’.
The decision has come as a shock to the F1 world and raises questions about the future of Haas. F1 reporter Chris Medland wrote that “it feels a little more like Gene Haas might have just risked sinking the ship” in sacking Steiner. “What the hell is going on at Haas,” was the headline to Medland’s reaction on Racer.
“Despite slipping to a frustrating 10th place in the constructors’ championship last year and appearing to be lost when it came to car development – generally the domain of a technical team rather than a team principal – it didn’t feel like Steiner was nearing the end of the road. In fact, he was still one of the brighter spots for Haas.”
‘What the hell is going on?’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...f172d35c10c6cb
Guenther Steiner’s Sudden Haas F1 Departure Could Spell Money Trouble
Given Steiner’s clout on TV, social media, and even at the tracks, this may not sit well with sponsors.
PUBLISHED Jan 10, 2024 1:25 PM EST
By Jerry Perez
The Drive
Steiner's departure is hardly a shock given the tension between him and team owner Gene Haas over the 2023 season's performance. The squad's slide to 10th place in the constructors' championship meant it received even less award money than in previous years, so the rest would have to come either from Haas himself or team sponsors. These not-insignificant problems likely led to Steiner's contract not being renewed at the end of the year.
That said, there are several reasons why Steiner's ousting is a big surprise, and it all has to do with his newfound TV stardom. Without Steiner's popularity as the loudmouthed, F-Bomb-dropping team boss with the funny accent, no one would know who he is, and Haas would have even fewer fans. No silly posterboards, no funny t-shirts, no fans obsessing over a C-tier F1 team and its weird boss.
This odd obsession brought in eyeballs, and in F1, eyeballs can help pay the bills. Sponsors like MoneyGram, Palm Angels, Chipotle, and the team's other "trendy" sponsors enjoyed the spotlight Steiner commanded—especially in the team's home country, which now hosts three races. Unless Komatsu can replicate that kind of buzz on TV, social media, and at the track, Haas F1 will fall even further into irrelevance. And if the team's failure to score points continues, they will all stop making those vital sponsorship payments Haas needs to survive.
‘Could Spell Money Trouble’;
https://www.thedrive.com/news/guenth...-money-trouble
Haas ditch charismatic team principal Guenther Steiner in blow to F1
10 January 2024 at 7:33 pm
Giles Richards
Yahoo! Sport
The Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner, has been replaced for the new Formula One season after 10 years in charge. Steiner’s removal is a blow for the sport. The Italian is one of the most colourful and charismatic characters in the paddock. He played a key role in F1’s recent surge in popularity, especially in the US. The US-based team – whose factory is located in Banbury, Oxfordshire – announced on Wednesday the 58-year-old will be replaced by their former director of engineering Ayao Komatsu. It is understood Steiner was not sacked but that his contract, which had concluded, was not renewed.
Steiner became one of the breakout stars of the Netflix series Drive to Survive, his blunt outspoken attitude towards his role and often his drivers, along with his inventive and explosive bouts of swearing, proved hugely popular with viewers. His public appearances often attracted more fans than those of his drivers and last year he published a bestselling book. He is the only team principal to do a roaring trade in T shirts bearing his image.
The team, however, have been underperforming, even given their limited budget, finishing bottom in the constructors’ championship last year and eighth in 2022. The owner, Gene Haas, indicated he was not satisfied with the results, despite Steiner having been with the team from the beginning. Steiner is also understood to have been instrumental in recruiting the team’s title sponsor, MoneyGram.
‘Blow to F1’;
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/gue...MuOZFlsa8unGvj
F1 podcast: Was Haas right to move on from Steiner?
Jan 10, 2024
The Race
Now the news is out, The Race F1 Podcast convenes to dissect the shock announcement that Guenther Steiner has left the Haas Formula 1 team.
Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell and Edd Straw are all on hand to weigh in, looking at the disagreement which triggered the change and forced Steiner’s exit, how it will impact the 2024 season, and what it says about Gene Haas’s longer-term plans for the team.
‘Was Haas right?’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f...u-appointment/
Steiner’s exit: A void that will be difficult to fill at Haas.
Thanks, Guenther. For your trust, friendship and the opportunity to go racing in @F1 again! You're definitely a character.. all the best! pic.twitter.com/3eMRuA06qw — Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) January 10, 2024
10/01/2024 at 20:12
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com
Guenther Steiner's departure from Haas F1 Team is a significant loss for the team, as he played a pivotal role in its inception, survival, and initial success. Without his vision, leadership, and financial acumen, Haas may not have even made it to the Formula 1 grid.
Steiner's expertise and experience in Formula 1 were instrumental in crafting the team's unique business model, which relied heavily on technical partnerships with Ferrari and manufacturer Dallara. This allowed Haas to leverage Ferrari's expertise and resources to produce a competitive car while keeping costs down.
His management style, characterized by its directness and no-nonsense approach, was well-suited to leading Haas through its early years. The Italian was able to motivate and inspire his team, fostering a culture of hard work and dedication. Steiner’s high profile in the sport – boosted by his exposure in the popular Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ that made him a fan favourite – made him a valuable asset in attracting sponsors and partners.
‘A void that will be difficult to fill’;
https://f1i.com/news/497663-steiners...l-at-haas.html
-
Andretti/GM is the logical answer to confused Haas existence.
Haas now risks becoming a team that does not stand out from the crowd at all, has no history, and will be less appealing to partners.
Jan 10, 2024
by Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race
So it is fair to ask what that team brings to F1. Especially as the conversation around Andretti is constantly ‘what are they adding, rather than just taking away?’. And the answer for Haas is that it’s easy to see Haas becoming an anonymous, unambitious outfit that hoovers up prize money and offers little to nothing to F1 overall as the permanent 10th team.
While that’s not going to make Gene Haas himself any more likely to sell, this could change if the team keeps underachieving, he is genuinely unhappy about that, and still has no interest in investing further. And it might nudge F1 as an organisation away from ‘back the existing 10 teams’ to ‘actually it might be better if this one gets sold’.
Haas’s apathy is no good for the team’s prospects, no good for the people who work there, no good for F1. Selling means the entry has more momentum and commitment behind it and the people working there have the choice of working for the new team instead. Andretti is such a logical target. Haas’s position appears to be unchanged but there is a logic to such a move as he would rake in a huge sum of money, Andretti would get a starting point for his team and the standoff between the FIA and F1 over letting in an 11th team would be resolved.
‘The logical answer’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/a...aas-existence/
Andretti buy-out? Binotto arrival? What’s next for Haas after Guenther Steiner exit?
11 Jan 2024 7:00 AM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com
Haas has cut ties with Guenther Steiner after almost a decade together in F1, and it leads to the big question of what comes next for F1’s regular backmarkers. It’s un-focking-believable, isn’t it? After almost 10 swashbuckling years as the charismatic leader of the perennial underdog Haas F1 team, Guenther Steiner and the organisation with which he was synonymous parted ways on Wednesday evening UK time.
Despite his popularity as a media darling, made famous by his expletive-laden appearances on Netflix’s Drive to Survive, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Gene Haas has called time on Steiner’s time as team boss and decided to take a punt on a new and fresh face in charge. Considering how Steiner, since 2015, has been the very public face of Gene Haas’ eponymous team – the last to get into Formula 1 before the sport’s evolvement into the franchise-based model it has become – the wording of the confirmation of his departure was eye-opening.
Indeed, the primary subject of the Haas press release sent to the media was actually the appointment of Ayao Komatsu as team boss, with Steiner’s departure after nearly 10 years being the secondary topic. In fact, Steiner’s name was only mentioned twice in the entire release – a very clear indication if ever there was one that their separation hasn’t come under the best of terms.
‘It’s un-focking-believable, isn’t it?’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/haas-g...cked-what-next
Guenther Steiner to speak out after Haas axe in chat with Sky Sports F1 star
Haas confirmed on Wednesday that Guenther Steiner has left as team principal after the F1 constructor finished bottom for the second time in three years
• 07:31, 11 Jan 2024
By Kieran King Sports Writer
The Mirror
Guenther Steiner will speak in an interview with Sky Sports' David Croft on Saturday morning - a matter of days after being axed as Haas' team principal.
Whether Steiner stays in F1 for the 2024 season remains to be seen, but he is set to open up on his departure from the team in an interview with Croft. The Sky Sports commenter confirmed the news on Twitter, as he revealed he is co-hosting the Autosport Show alongside F1 presenter Emma Walsh.
‘Interview with Sky Sports' David Croft on Saturday’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-sack-31854996
‘Not to be missed’ – Date set for explosive Guenther Steiner interview
11 Jan 2024 7:48 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Never one to mince his words, Guenther Steiner will be speaking live at the upcoming Autosport International Show, just days after his shocking and silent Haas exit. Haas certainly made headlines on January 10, with the news that technical director Simone Resta had left serving to be merely the warm-up for a greater shock to come.
Just a few hours later, it was revealed that Steiner, who built all the foundations needed for Haas to join the F1 grid and served as their team principal from day one, had also headed for the exit.
In light of this stunning news, it became unclear whether Steiner would still be speaking live at the Autosport International Show on Saturday, January 13 as scheduled, but this one has just become must-see as Steiner will be there, armed with a live microphone as he speaks to Sky F1 commentator David Croft.
‘Not to be missed’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/date-s...haas-interview
F1 pundits question 'real reason' for Steiner departure as Haas team principal
Thursday 11 January 2024 09:12
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans
Sky Sports F1 pundits Damon Hill and David Croft have questioned the 'real reason' behind Guenther Steiner's sudden departure from Haas as team principal, with the pair both admitting the sport have lost a 'massive character'.
The charismatic 58-year-old will be sorely missed by followers of F1, especially fans of Netflix's hit documentary series Drive to Survive – something that showcased the very best of Steiner both in and out of the paddock.
1996 F1 champion Hill wondered why exactly Haas made the decision to let Steiner go. “Guenther became a bit of a celebrity thanks to the the famous Netflix series [Drive to Survive] and the behind the scenes filming of him and he is absolutely a kind of huge character," he told Sky Sports.
Croft: F1 has lost a massive character: "Firstly, it’s Gene Haas' team, and Guenther Steiner was getting the lion's share of the attention and I'm sure that didn't go down hugely well with the team owner," he said.
‘F1 pundits question 'real reason' for Steiner departure’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...l-david-croft/
Leading F1 correspondent sheds light on apparent Steiner-Haas clash
11 Jan 2024 9:15 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Formula 1 presenter and correspondent Lawrence Barretto said Guenther Steiner and Haas team owner Gene Haas could not agree on how the future looked for the team, leading to their parting of ways.
Addressing the situation on X, Barretto said Steiner and Gene Haas “had differing views on the team’s path forward” and with Steiner’s contract up at the end of 2023, no renewal was signed and Steiner headed for the exit.
“I understand Steiner and owner Gene Haas had differing views on the team’s path forward and thus it was decided to go their separate ways. I believe Steiner’s contract expired at the end of last year. Following the disagreement on the future strategy, that contract wasn’t renewed.”
‘Sheds light on apparent Steiner-Haas clash’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/lawren...ene-haas-clash
‘Drive to Survive is finished’ – F1 fans react to wild Guenther Steiner departure at Haas
10 Jan 2024 6:30 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
Guenther Steiner is out the door at Haas, with fans highlighting the severe impact they believe this will have on Netflix’s Drive to Survive series as a key personality departs. Fans believe Steiner’s exit will carry a more wide-reaching impact in the world of Formula 1, and certainly not in a positive sense.
The sixth season, to air in 2024, is now set to be the last featuring Steiner around the F1 paddock, with fans fearing this could be curtains for the series minus his presence. “Netflix series is finished,” one fan posted in response to Steiner leaving Haas, backed by another fan posting: “Well that’s Drive to Survive finished after the next season comes out.” “Nooooo, he was one of the best, funny and interesting person in the paddock. So sad,” read a further fan post.
With responses of “the only reason any of us cared about Haas” and “well this is another reason to watch less F1” also emerging, there will likely be concerns about the potential knock-on effects of this Haas announcement if these fan statements are a true foreshadowing. “Literally the ONLY Team Principal that EVERYONE liked is now gone,” read another response.
‘Drive to Survive is finished’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/netfli...haas-departure
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Guenther Steiner 'denied Haas goodbyes' as theory over blunt dismissal comes to light.
Guenther Steiner was reportedly denied the chance to say goodbye to his staff after his sacking on Wednesday, despite having known about the news since last month.
14:58, Thu, Jan 11, 2024
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express
The 58-year-old had been at the helm of Haas since they entered the sport in 2016, but after another tenth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship, owner Gene Haas opted to make a change. That decision will likely spell the end of Steiner’s time as an F1 team principal, meaning fans of the sport are bidding farewell to one of the most iconic figures in the paddock. The Merano-born boss became a cult hero due to his sweary rants, which were broadcast to hordes of new fans through Netflix’s Drive to Survive series.
While Steiner’s departure makes sense off the back of four bottom-two Constructors’ Championship finishes in the span of five years, new information revealed that the former Haas boss discovered his fate last month, and was unable to say his goodbyes to the team that he worked with for the better part of a decade.
'Denied Haas goodbyes';
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...r-Steiner-Haas
Brutal details emerge on savage Guenther Steiner dismissal at Haas
11 Jan 2024 11:01 AM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1
Sky F1’s Craig Slater said Guenther Steiner was not given the chance to say his goodbyes to the Haas personnel after his shock exit, with his growing popularity and subsequent projects flagged up as potential contributors.
Sky F1 correspondent Slater, who revealed that Steiner did not even get the chance to say goodbye to his Haas colleagues, suggested concerns were perhaps growing in the Haas camp regarding Steiner’s extra projects, such as his book ‘Surviving to Drive’, plus his CBS interactions over a potential comedy show role, while the team was floundering.
“People have been telling me, from sources inside the factory, that there’ll be a lot of disappointment that Guenther has gone,” said Slater. “He didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, by the way, which I think will disappoint him. And then there was a little bit of a coterie picking up on what Crofty said there, that were maybe feeding the line that why is Guenther releasing a book and getting involved in a US comedy series and doing all this Netflix stuff, when the team are flatlining and flatlining at the bottom as well?”
‘Savage Guenther Steiner dismissal’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...llowed-goodbye
Gene Haas says what he really thinks about Guenther Steiner after F1 "embarrassment"
Gene Haas has replaced long-serving F1 team principal Guenther Steiner with director of engineering Ayao Komatsu after the American team finished last in the 2023 season
9th January 2024, 15:45
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror
"I like Guenther, he's a really nice person, a really good personality," he (Gene Haas ) said. "We had a tough end to the year. I don't understand that, I really don't. Those are good questions to ask Guenther - what went wrong? At the end of the day, it's about performance. I have no interest in being 10th anymore.”
"I'm not sitting here saying it's Guenther's fault or anything like that, but it just seems like this was an appropriate time to make a change and try a different direction, because it doesn't seem like continuing with what we had is really going to work."
One key contribution made by Steiner was the use of his relationship with Ferrari to form a close bond between the two teams which still exists today, and which Haas says he will continue to uphold. He added: "They have been with us since day one, they build incredible engines. Their suspension is extremely good.”
‘Says what he really thinks’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...einer-31860303
Gene Haas explains reasons for Steiner axe
11 January 2024
by Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
“It came down to performance,” said Haas, speaking to Formula1.com as he outlined why Steiner had to go. “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.”
“I've been running Haas Automation for over 40 years now,” he said. “Bringing people in from the outside, it takes them time to learn, six months to a year, and a lot of time you don't even like them. It's better to take people you know, and even if they are not the perfect fit, at least you know what you're going to get.”
“Performance”;
https://speedcafe.com/gene-haas-expl...r-steiner-axe/
Eight things Gene Haas's first post-Steiner interview told us
Jan 11, 2024
by Jack Cozens
The Race
Gene Haas has spoken to the media for the first time since team principal Guenther Steiner's exit from the Haas Formula 1 team was announced on Wednesday. That's one of the elements addressed by team owner and CEO Haas in an interview conducted with Formula1.com. Here are our main takeaways from that:
Haas sees this as a performance matter... … Gene Haas underlined his feeling that results have not been up to standard.
...but there's a lot of emphasis on survival: Steiner felt more investment was needed to hit those improved performance targets, Haas is of the opinion that the team was underachieving with what it already had.
How far Haas is off the cost cap limit: “I just don’t think we’re doing a very good job of spending it in the most effective way."
Cashing out isn't in the team's plans: "I didn’t get into F1 to sell [the team]," said Haas. "I did it because I wanted to race. Guenther had the same perspective.”
‘Always intended to promote from within. Haas's plan to be more involved, The team has turned down outside investment, Firm hint of Haas's 2026 engine plan’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/w...-steiner-left/
Haas avoid huge bill for sacking Guenther Steiner as F1 plan becomes clear
Guenther Steiner was sacked by Haas on Thursday following a miserable season in which the American side scored just 12 points, but the Italian will not receive a major pay-out
• 10:22, 11 Jan 2024
Jacob Leeks Sports Reporter
The Mirror
Haas have avoided forking out a huge pay-off to Guenther Steiner after opting to ditch the Italian… … with the Italian having been out of contract. That means he will leave the team for free, having led them during their first eight years in the sport. Despite his popularity though, owner Haas is adamant that it was clear a change in the team's leadership was needed after a miserable season.
“I’d like to start by extending my thanks to Guenther Steiner for all his hard work over the past decade and I wish him well for the future. Moving forward as an organization it was clear we need to improve our on-track performances," he said.
‘Avoid huge bill for sacking’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ayoff-31856341
'Time to sell Haas: Andretti F1 deal is obvious option now Steiner is gone'
January 11th 2024
Author: Damien Smith
Motor Sport Magazine
Well, this should be good. This coming Saturday morning Guenther Steiner was scheduled to appear on stage at the Autosport International show at Birmingham’s NEC – and he still is, according to the organisers… Steiner would have drawn an audience anyway. F1-related people always do wherever they pitch up and this is (or rather was, for now) one of grand prix racing’s most popular personalities, thanks to the cultivated profile he’s built via Netflix’s Drive to Survive. Now his appearance takes on an added edge. Let’s see what he has to say.
The 58-year-old Italian’s relationship with his boss was always spiky – as seen on TV – and the statement announcing the change in team principal carried an underlying final barb. Ayao Komatsu, the team’s respected engineering director, has been promoted into the hot seat – and in appointing him, the team stated “we fundamentally have engineering at the heart of our management.”
But that was also the case with Steiner at the helm. He too, lest we forget, was an engineer who made the transition to leader, so it’s impossible to read that statement without a wince at its underlying implied criticism. Not a happy ending, then.
The 11th team thing is a mess, then. Meanwhile, Steiner’s departure from Haas looks like a defining moment for an operation has never kicked on from its promising start. The inflated price of an F1 entry today – either legitimately or otherwise – wouldn’t make such a deal the work of a moment, of course. But Haas doesn’t look like a man who lives to race in F1 – because he isn’t. He’s a world away from a Frank Williams, or even a Peter Sauber. The clock has always been ticking on his commitment anyway, so why go through the motions and prolong the stasis? It’s time. Hand the keys to Michael, Gene.
‘Gene Haas’s team: The clock has always been ticking on his commitment’;
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#
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Bahrain ‘concern’ for Haas with race against time for VF-24 development.
Haas owner Gene Haas admits his “biggest concern” in the aftermath of Guenther Steiner’s exit is their F1 2024 challenger, which must be “ready to go” in Bahrain.
11 Jan 2024 1:00 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com
The clock is ticking fast towards the start of the F1 2024 campaign, with the three-day pre-season test in Bahrain beginning on February 21; the season then gets underway on the following weekend.
With technical director Simone Resta also leaving Haas, that confirmed on the same day as Steiner’s exit, it is understandable that Gene Haas’ key concern is ensuring the VF-24 is good to go by then.
“My biggest concern is when we go to Bahrain, we need to show up with a car that is ready to go,” he said in an interview for the Formula 1 website.
‘Race against time’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/gene-h...ern-haas-vf-24
World Champion reacts to Steiner exit: 'A huge loss for F1'
11 January 3:00PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365
1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill has stated that Guenther Steiner's departure from the Haas squad is a “huge loss” for the sport. “Guenther became a bit of a celebrity thanks to the famous Netflix series and the behind-the-scenes filming of him,” Hill told Sky Sports.
“He’s a huge character, very decisive, very confident and sure of what he’s saying. Maybe that’s part of the mix. He wants to win, I don’t know the real reason behind the departure but it’s a big loss to the sport because fans liked him, he attracted people, he was outspoken but maybe didn’t get the results that Gene Haas [team owner] wanted.
'A huge loss for F1';
https://racingnews365.com/world-cham...ge-loss-for-f1
Gene Haas is mistaken about his team’s place in modern F1
Jan 12, 2024
by Ben Anderson
The Race
A very successful Formula 2 team boss once told me there was no point in him trying to graduate to Formula 1 because of the insane investment required to match the infrastructure and sheer knowledge bank of F1’s existing teams. This was during the last period when F1 was actually keen on expansion. The Haas F1 team was founded amidst this existential crisis. While Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner were having regular meetings with short-lived Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci in 2014, F1 was crumbling from the inside.
Fast forward to 2018, when Haas achieved its peak of fifth in the constructors’ championship. Well, Force India had finally gone to the wall and had 59 points deleted that year owing to its mid-season takeover by Lawrence Stroll (who renamed the team Racing Point). Haas would have been sixth at best without that anomaly. But Haas regressing to the mean (or near enough) has gone on for five seasons now, which is why Gene Haas has decided to shake things up by jettisoning founding team principal Guenther Steiner and promoting engineering figurehead Ayao Komatsu in his place.
The reality for Haas is that 2023 was very much the culmination of a journey to it becoming F1’s worst team. Tenth is exactly where it should be finishing based on its size and the resources at its disposal. Haas remains an underfunded minnow, relying on Ferrari to supply most of the things it needs to go racing - including windtunnel access. F1’s new franchise model, existing under a spending cap, is encouraging major investment into F1 teams - making more of them increasingly fit for purpose. Can Haas honestly say it fits into that category? I’d say it increasingly looks like a fish out of water.
‘Gene Haas increasingly looks like he’s out on a limb’;
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/g...teiner-firing/
Revealed: What Haas employees really thought of Guenther Steiner in tough spell
11 Jan 2024 5:00 PM
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com
Haas’ Guenther Steiner made waves thanks to his fiery personality and blunt approach to criticism, but the employees who worked on his Formula 1 team consider him the best boss they’ve ever had. “He is the best team boss I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve worked with a lot,” one former employee said during an interview. “With Guenther, there’s no question. You always know what’s going on. He’s not hiding, he’s always telling you the truth. If I was f***ing something up, he came to me: ‘What the f*** are you doing? Pull yourself together.'”
While that attitude might seem harsh to people outside the motorsport world, this employee reported that it was actually quite welcome: “People in this kind of industry or environment, we love this, because if I make a mistake, I know that. I don’t need someone trying to explain why I made a mistake in language that I don’t understand. I need someone to come here and tell me, ‘You made a mistake.’ But on the other hand, if you did good, [Steiner] was always there tapping your shoulder, saying, ‘Mate, that’s it. Good work.'”
A second employee repeated a similar sentiment. “Steiner is a great guy,” they said. “He didn’t micromanage, but he oversaw everything. He didn’t have to come and talk to all the different employees and departments, but he did, because he wanted to know what was going on. Some stuff, he’d just bat away: ‘Just go f***ing fix it.’ That’s how he was. Other stuff, he would say, ‘OK mate, let’s have a chat. What do we need to do to sort this out?'”
‘What Haas employees really thought’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/reveal...enther-steiner
F1 team EXODUS continues with major Ferrari link revealed
Friday 12 January 2024 08:27
Cal Gaunt
GPFans
Haas F1 technical director Simone Resta has left the team, following team principal Guenther Steiner out the door after 10 years at the helm. Resta's departure from Haas appears to mark a significant shift in the technical landscape for both Haas and Ferrari.
Despite a collaborative effort aimed at leveraging stronger ties between the American-owned team and the Italian manufacturer, Haas faced ongoing challenges in realising performance improvements during the ground effect era. The decision to move away from Ferrari's in-wash sidepod concept to embrace a new design philosophy, reminiscent of Red Bull's downwash idea, did not yield the anticipated on-track success.
‘EXODUS continues’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...teiner-exodus/
What Guenther Steiner is expected to do next after departing as Haas team principal
Thu 11 January 2024 12:00
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer
A report from The Athletic has now shared what Guenther Steiner is expected to do going forward.
It’s safe to say that the 2023 season did not go to plan for Haas. While they had some decent pace during qualifying, they simply couldn’t sustain it during races. Tyre degrading was a huge issue and Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen couldn’t even agree on which version of their car was quicker.
Steiner admitted that the Dane hated their launch car last year, while Hulkenberg outraced his teammate after finally joining the team after years of being chased by the 58-year-old. Unfortunately, Haas and Steiner had different ideas on what next steps to take to lift their car team off the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship.
The report from The Athletic states that they expect Steiner to take some time away from Formula 1 before considering his next move in racing. Steiner has other business ventures and he’s likely to be offered plenty of media opportunities due to his rise to fame thanks to the Drive to Survive series on Netflix. It would be no surprise if some of the biggest broadcasters approached Steiner to become a part of their team. He was loved among F1 fans for being brutally honest about his driver’s performances and his own.
‘Brutally honest’;
https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/wha...eam-principal/
