‘Guenther Steiner was getting the attention and that didn’t go down well with Gene Haas...'

Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has suggested that Haas owner Gene Haas didn’t like the fact team principal Guenther Steiner “was getting the lion’s share of the attention” prior to his departure.
Guenther Steiner (ITA) Haas F1 Team Prinicipal with Gene Haas (USA) Haas Automotion President (Right). Formula 1 World
Guenther Steiner (ITA) Haas F1 Team Prinicipal with Gene Haas (USA) Haas Automotion President …

Haas announced Steiner’s shock dep💜arture on ൲Wednesday, with Ayao Komatsu replacing him having previously held the role of director of engineering.

Steiner had been the team’s F1 boss s🎀ince Haas’ first race back in 2016.

Haas’ best finish came in 2018, securing fifཧth in the construct꧅ors’ championship.

Since t🔯hen, the American-outfit has struggled for success, slumping to last in the standings in 2021 and 2023.

As a result, Steiner has lost his job.

Pietro Fittipaldi (BRA) Haas VF-23 Reserve Driver. Formula 1 Testing, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Tuesday.-
Pietro Fittipaldi (BRA) Haas VF-23 Reserve Driver. Formula 1 Testing, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu…

Giving his assessment on the situation, Croft said: "Firstly, it’s Gene H😼aas' team, and Guenther Steineಌr was getting the lion's share of the attention and I'm sure that didn't go down hugely well with the team owner.

“But that's no reason to get rid of somebody. Their peওrformanc🌃e on track last year might have been part of the picture as well. 

💖"Great on a Saturday in terms𒐪 of the way that Nico Hulkenberg, for instance, managed to get into the top 10 in qualifying.”

Damon Hill a💖dded: “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 abღsolutely a kind of huge character.

“Very decisive, very confident and very sure of what he's saying. Maybe this is par🌱t of the mix, he wants to win. 

"I don't know what the real reason is for the departure, but it's a big loss to the sport becaus🌱e fans liked him, he attracted people. He was controversi♚al, he was outspoken – maybe he didn't get the results that Gene Haas wanted."

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