Guenther Steiner Photo: QIAN Jun
Guenther Steiner's shock departure as Haas Formula One boss was about performance and the need to try something different after finishing last overall in 2023, team owner Gene Haas said.
The American machine tools industrialist told the www.formula1.com website that he was not looking to sell the team but wanted to be competitive and running closer to engine supplier Ferrari.
"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," said Haas.
"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.
2023 Haas F1 car Photo: Haas F1
"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."
Haas announced Steiner's departure on Wednesday, with the Italian-American's contract not renewed and long-serving Japanese engineer Ayao Komatsu taking over as principal.
His departure was a blow to fans of the Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive', emerging as a plain-talking, expletive-prone cult hero.
With news of his replacement came mounting speculation that Haas could eventually sell to Michael Andretti, who is still waiting for Formula One to decide on his bid to compete with General Motors' support.
That would bring in a major U.S. racing name and brand with plenty of fan recognition and without expanding beyond the current 10 teams.
"I didn't get into F1 to sell," said Haas, however.
"I did it because I wanted to race. Guenther had the same perspective. We're not here to cash out, we want to race and be competitive.
"Losing Guenther is going to cause the team to have to focus on other aspects. We will hopefully come out better for it."
Haas said he was happy to stay with Ferrari, who could have them as a sole customer for their engines beyond the works team when the rules change in 2026.
Ferrari-powered Sauber are due to become the Audi factory team in 2026.
-Reuters