Haas is changing the boss! The popular Steiner will be replaced by a long-time team member. Stable owner also responds to speculation of a sale

Before the start of the season, the American Haas stable decided to make a change at the head of the team. After an unconvincing performance in recent years, Guenther Steiner is stepping down as head of the team and will be replaced by team chief engineer Ayao Komatsu. Team owner Gene Haas has spoken out about Steiner’s departure as well as speculation about selling the stable.

Fan favourite and star of the documentary Drive to Survive, Guenther Steiner has had a long 10-year relationship with Haas. He first became involved in the organisation before the team entered Formula One. It was he who hired most of the staff and secured partnerships with race car manufacturers Ferrari and Dallara.

Outsourcing is typical for Haas as a small stable, ordering huge amounts of parts from other companies, saving on infrastructure and reducing the number of staff needed.

The long term squeezed budget is then not only among fans considered the main reason why the American team is not doing well. But owner Gene Haas sees it differently.

“People have the impression that we are spending a lot less money. We are normally within 10 million euros of the budget ceiling. I just don’t think we get enough out of the money we spend. Many other teams have had previous investments in infrastructure, buildings, equipment and staff,” Haas said in an interview with F1’s official website.

” I like Guenther, he is a great person, a great personality. But we had a difficult end of the year. I don’t understand, I really don’t. Anyway, these are already questions for Guenther, where did the mistake happen. At the end of the day, it’s all about performance. I don’t want to be tenth anymore.”

Haas’ results went from ten to five after a successful first three seasons. In 2018, the team even finished fifth in the Constructors’ Cup with 93 points. Since then, Haas has only scored 80 points and hasn’t finished better than eighth.

Haas is not for sale

Gene Haas is hoping that new team boss Ayao Komatus will bring about a much-needed change. Although there are several former and experienced team bosses on the market at the moment, Haas has decided to promote one of his own employees. Ayao has been with the team since day one, he knows it like the back of his hand.”

He also expects a different approach to his role from the 47-year-old Japanese. “I think Guenther had a more human approach to everything and he was very good at human interaction. Ayao is very technical, he looks at things based on statistics – this is something we are doing wrong and we can improve.”

There are plenty of teams that have hoisted the white flag and left the queen of motorsport after several seasons at the tail end of the field. But Haas has no plans to sell its place in Formula One. “I didn’t go into F1 to sell the team. I went there because I wanted to race. Guenther saw it the same way. We’re not here to make money, we want to race and compete,” said team owner Gene Haas.

The American stable can only get better in the new season. It finished 2023 in last place with 12 points. The last upgrades the team made in Austin were a total bust. Not only did they not have the desired effect, but Kevin Magnussen even preferred to revert to the old specification of the car.

Source: F1, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team