P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Haas F1 Team never bore Guenther Steiner’s name. But make no mistake – its identity is inseparable from the team boss it has now let go
Formula 1 might have never materialized without Guenther Steiner, who played a crucial role in establishing the Haas F1 team. Despite Gene Haas’s financial backing, it was Steiner’s expertise and dedication that made the project a reality. Before Haas F1, Steiner was involved in the failed USF1 team, where he attempted to salvage the project through a partnership with another new team, HRT. This experience led Steiner to develop the idea of a technical partnership, which ultimately formed the foundation for Haas F1’s unique model. Under Steiner’s leadership, Haas achieved immediate success, with a sixth-place finish on their debut in 2016. Their highest point came in 2018 when they finished fifth in the constructors’ championship. Despite some challenges, such as the ill-fated title sponsorship deal with Rich Energy in 2019 and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Steiner was instrumental in steering the team through difficult times.
