F1: Gene Haas Says Guenther Steiner Exit 'Came Down to Performance'

After ten years in charge, Gene Haas, owner of the Haas Formula 1 team, removed Guenther Steiner, citing performance as the reason. Ayao Komatsu, the team's previous head of engineering, has replaced the 58-year-old Italian with little over a month to go before the 2024 Formula 1 season begins. Haas had a difficult and unsuccessful 2023 season under Steiner's leadership, finishing last in the constructors' championship with just 12 points after 22 races. After Haas made it clear that Steiner wasn't directly at fault, the decision to not renew his contract, which ended in 2023, was largely influenced by the team's general lack of competitiveness.

Gene Haas told to F1, " It came down to performance. 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. 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."

Also Read: F1: Guenther Steiner and Haas Part Ways After Another Tough Season, to be Replaced by Ayao Komatsu

Gene Haas added, "I like Guenther, he’s a really nice person, a really good personality. 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."

F1: Haas Explains the Reason Behind Komatsu's Promotion

With Ayao Komatsu at the helm, Haas will look to regain its midfield position for the next season. The 47-year-old has extensive knowledge of the squad thanks to his extensive career trajectory that began as chief racing engineer and ended as director of engineering. With more than 20 years of F1 expertise, Komatsu was instrumental in convincing Gene Haas that he is the perfect choice to take over the role.

Gene Haas said: “We looked from within, at who had most experience,” says Haas. “Ayao has been with the team since day one, he knows the ins and outs of it. My biggest concern is when we go to Bahrain, we need to show up with a car that is ready to go. Maybe having more of a managerial-type and engineering approach, we’ll see if that has benefits.

“I think Guenther had more of a human-type approach to everything with people and the way he interacted with people, he was very good at that. Ayao is very technical, he looks at things based on statistics – this is what we’re doing bad, where can we do better. It’s a different approach. We really do need something different because we weren’t really doing that well. Like I said, it all comes down to eight years in, dead last. Nothing more I can say on that,” he added.

Also Read: F1: Williams Extends Mercedes Formula 1 Engine Deal Until 2030

Haas is eager to put a difficult season behind them and focus on what's to come. There has been a shift in emphasis to fixing issues with the aerodynamic package, which was problematic last year due in large part to the disappointing results of the substantial Austin improvement. In spite of these obstacles, the team's future seems bright so long as they master aerodynamic management and improvement and be competitive in 2024 season.