Haas failure down to 'old structures' still in place – Steiner

Guenther Steiner has hit out at Haas team owner Gene Haas for failing to adapt to the current F1 regulations, which were introduced in 2022.

The Drive to Survive sensation recently departed his role as the American side's boss, following the conclusion of his contract at the end of 2023.

Gene opted not to offer Steiner an extension, with Ayao Komatsu having been promoted from being the team's Director of Engineering.

F1 has seen several huge regulation changes in recent years, with the current aerodynamic regulations having come into effect two years ago, whilst the budget cap was introduced in 2021.

Every team in the paddock has been forced to make changes to remain competitive. However, not all of them have adapted to the constantly changing sport.

Prior to his departure, Steiner – who led Haas from when they joined the sport in 2016 until the end of 2023 – outlined to Gene how he wanted the team to change going forwards.

The 58-year-old even wanted to invest in the North Carolina-based squad, something the team owner didn't want the Italian to do.

'Different views' led to departure

Steiner recognised that in order to not finish last in the Constructors' Championship like they did in 2023, changes were needed, although this is where he reached a dead-end with Gene.

“I wanted to invest in the team, he didn’t," admitted Steiner, speaking German publication Auto Motorsport.

“We simply had different views on how things should proceed. The way the team was set up, you couldn’t ask for much more. This is not a criticism of the team, but the reality. The budget cap has completely changed Formula 1. Old structures no longer work.

“McLaren, Williams, AlphaTauri have been investing for two years in the infrastructure so that they have more budget for the operational business. If you don’t follow suit, you can’t expect to be able to keep up.”

Steiner went on to admit that the American outfit were slow to "react" to the sport changing but that it weren't through the fault of the employees themselves.

“It’s no secret that we were at an impasse with our concept and that it took us too long to react.

“That’s what happens when you only have half as many people as others. But our guys didn’t do such a bad job.”