A Haas member spoke about the “climate of fear and terror” created by Guenther Steiner.
Steiner oversaw Haas’s rise as a Formula 1 team, but a team member discussed how Ayao Komatsu has since eliminated the “atmosphere of fear.” Team owner Gene Haas chose to promote Komatsu to team principal in January, opting not to renew Steiner’s contract, which ended in 2023.
Steiner managed Haas since 2014, helping lay the groundwork for its entry into F1 in 2016. However, after a disappointing 2023 season, Haas decided it was time to bring in new leadership. The team finished last in the Constructors’ Championship with just 12 points from 22 Grand Prix and 6 sprint races, marking its second-worst season in history. Under Komatsu’s leadership, Haas has already accumulated 31 points in the 2024 season.
Nico Hulkenberg’s impressive performance, scoring 24 points across 18 Grand Prix and 3 sprint races, contributed significantly to this turnaround. Komatsu also facilitated a technical partnership with Toyota, marking Haas’s return to F1 after 15 years.
An anonymous Haas team member told F1 Insider that Komatsu has removed the “fear and terror” instilled by Steiner. As the team’s performance worsened, Steiner’s angry demeanor left designers and engineers on edge, fearing mistakes.
The team member stated, “Under Steiner, everyone was afraid to make mistakes. His temper created an atmosphere of fear. Komatsu has restored motivation and a sense of uplift among everyone.”
Komatsu becoming the team principal of Haas is a significant factor in Toyota’s agreement to return as a technical partner in F1. Since taking over from Steiner, whose intimidating demeanor conflicted with Toyota’s work culture, Komatsu has proven to be a rational and hardworking leader.
Steiner had also clashed with team owner Gene Haas. The recently dismissed team principal referred to Haas as “cheap” and claimed he was fired over the phone while shopping at a supermarket. This marked a bitter end to their relationship and led to Steiner’s departure from Haas.
However, team owner Haas likely believes that Komatsu’s achievements since taking over show he made the right decision. Following a disappointing 2023 season, the team has shown signs of improvement, and Haas is pleased with Komatsu’s ability to establish a partnership with one of the world’s largest automakers.
