No team boss was as popular as the poltergeist: only Grosjean’s horror stole the show from Steiner

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Günther Steiner, the 58-year-old South Tyrol, once an ice hockey guard in Bolzano, was known for his nonchalant statements – and the Netflix documentary and his own book turned him into a cult figure. To the secret annoyance of team owner Gene Haas (71). The American billionaire (machine tool manufacturer) has cut a pale figure since joining GP in 2016. Without charisma. But with a private contribution of an estimated $500 million.

The feud with Sky Deutschland

Steiner didn’t even have to say his statements (“The FIA ​​​​is an amateur theater”) – in fact, he was quietly a popular act in the circus. He once described the signing of Mick Schumacher (24) as “the most expensive bad transfer”. It earned him an eternal boycott of Sky Deutschland (with uncle Ralf Schumacher).

“We have two idiots”

The gnarled man didn’t just make friends. If he didn’t like something, he immediately expressed his frustration: “There are two damn idiots driving in front of us!” (Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, who shot themselves again).

«Mick is afraid that the brakes are overheating. He’s driving so damn slow he doesn’t have to brake!’ Steiner did not mince his words. This was probably his downfall.

Compare Haas – Schoon

Gene Haas wants to help his team move forward again with the Japanese Ayao Komatsu (47), the former operations manager. After two final World Cup places in 2021 (zero points with Mazepin and Schumi) and 2023. Last season, Haas had only four points less than Sauber.

By the way, only Haas and Sauber remained without podium places in the past ten years. The ‘Americans’ with three locations (Kannapolis, Banbury and Maranello) now want to increase the number of employees from 260 to save the situation. In Hinwil ZH it is now more than double.

Another parallel with Sauber: Rich Energy had an obscure main sponsor in 2019. After a few months the drinking craze was over – just like in Hinwil’s early years with Broker of Lighthouse.

Technical director is also leaving

Haas, whose team boss was usually more popular than the drivers, became world famous in Bahrain in 2020 when Grosjean spent 27 seconds in hell after a spectacular fire accident. And was able to miraculously free himself with relatively minor burns.

In addition to Steiner, technical director Simone Resta (53) is now also leaving. The Italian must return to Ferrari. He was loaned to Sauber in May 2018 but was brought back in August 2019. According to English reports, Resta would be in contact with Hinwil again.

Source : Blick