Guenther Steiner has given his verdict on the Haas Formula 1 team’s current form after being ousted as team principal at the beginning of the year.
The American outfit is leading a tight battle for seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship with seven points on the board after nine races ahead of Alpine, Williams, and Sauber.
Compared to the same period in 2023, the team had eight points when Steiner was still team principal.
While both Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen finished in 10th place on two separate occasions, the former’s seventh place during the red-flag-ridden Australian Grand Prix earned them an extra point.
Haas employs tactics to acheive points
The American team has employed gamesmanship to help achieve points at races at various points during the season, with the FIA stewards investigating them for “unsportsmanlike conduct” at one event.
During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Magnussen effectively acted as a rear gunner for Hulkenberg by aggressively fending off rival teams in 11th place to help his teammate achieve 10th.
Magnussen overstepped the mark when he employed the same tactics during the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race, amassing 30 seconds worth of penalties for leaving the track and gaining an advantage and an additional track limits penalty.
He also earned points on his Super Licence, putting him two points away from the automatic 12-point race ban trigger. Magnussen was later investigated and acquitted by the FIA stewards for breach of the International Sporting Code relating to unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Guenther Steiner gives his verdict
Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, the former team principal has summed up his thoughts about their current form.
“Last year at this stage, Haas had more points than they have now. So we need to put together the numbers right, the numbers always talk,” said Steiner.
American team owner, Gene Haas, decided not to renew Steiner’s contract as team principal at the beginning of the season citing poor results and lack of progress since they entered F1 in 2016.
Steiner has since found refuge as an F1 TV pundit for various broadcasters, while also as an ambassador for the Miami Grand Prix.
Experienced engineer, Ayao Komatsu, replaced him and has since tried to maximise their points at every round through adventurous and often questionable tactics.
Hulkenberg is set to leave the team for Sauber in anticipation for Audi’s takeover in 2026, while the team is not expected to renew the contract of Magnussen.
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