As we are on the brink of entering the new season of Formula 1, the teams are unfolding their best cards to have a fulfilling year. While for a few, it might sound like a shock to many, but this was something coming. Yes, we are talking about the removal of Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Guenther Steiner has been sacked from his position.
- Earlier, he served as Team Principal of Haas F1 team.
- Ayao Komatsu is named as the successor to Steiner.
Guenther Steiner Sacked, Meet Ayao Komatsu: New Team Principal Of Haas
A Little About Steiner’s Past
As quoted in Wikipedia, Steiner started his career as a mechanic in the World Rally Championship. Post this, he worked as assistant team manager for Top Run SRL and technical manager at Jolly Club. Before he entered Formula 1, the Italian-American engineer served several prominent roles.
Coming to his Formula 1 journey, it started with Jaguar Racing, and soon he also got a chance to work with last year’s Constrictor Championship Winner – Redbull Racing.
Lastly, Steiner joined the Haas Formula 1 Racing Team, where he was the Team Principal. The team has recently announced his successor, and it is none other than Ayao Komatsu, who is the former engineering director for the America-based racing team.
What could have been the reason behind it?
While Steiner managed many difficult situations for the brand, be it gathering investments for the team or dealing with controversies, the stagnation of the team was evident throughout. With the introduction of star drivers like Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Racing Team still ended 10th in the constructors championship. This could have been the reason behind cutting ties with Steiner. Another reason could have been both parties not coming to a common ground.
Steiner was the longest-serving team principal after RedBull‘s Christian Horner and Mercedes‘ Toto Wolff. It would be interesting to see how Komatsu takes the team ahead.