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Formula One

29th Feb 2024

Guenther Steiner makes his F1 comeback in new role following Haas exit

Sophie Collins

Guenther Steiner is making his F1 comeback, just months after his shock exit from Haas.

Former Haas team principal is making a swift return to the world of Formula 1, but this time in a different capacity.

After eight seasons at the helm of the American team, Steiner found himself out of the hot seat in January in a shock move by the private-owned outfit.

However, he’s now set to grace the screens again, this time as a pundit for German broadcaster RTL.

Steiner’s departure from the team came as owner Gene Haas opted for a change, promoting trackside engineering director, Ayao Komatsu, to the coveted position.

Known for his candid demeanour, hilarious one-liners, and colourful language, Steiner gained popularity through his entertaining appearances on Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

Now, he’s gearing up to share his insights with RTL viewers as they cover the F1 season in Germany.

The seasoned Italian-American will be present in the paddock for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, marking the beginning of his punditry stint.

Guenther Steiner
Credit: Getty

Steiner is scheduled to attend seven races with the broadcaster, according to reports, and will also make an appearance for Australian TV network Channel 10 at the Australian Grand Prix next month.

Expressing his excitement for his new role, Steiner commented: “Formula 1 is competition at the highest level, on the racetrack and in the paddock. How are the drivers’ performances to be assessed and what does that mean for the organisations behind them?

“I’m looking forward to examining these processes with this strong on-air team and sharing my analysis of the racing action.”

RTL’s programme director, Inga Leschek, emphasised the significance of having Steiner join their team, stating: “With Guenther Steiner, we have succeeded in getting a long-standing manager and Formula 1 insider directly from the paddock in front of the RTL microphones, who will enrich our live broadcasts with up-to-date insights and plain language.”

As fans gear up for the excitement of the new Formula 1 season, they can anticipate Steiner’s distinctive perspective adding a fresh dimension to their viewing experience – we’re just disappointed that we English speakers will miss out.

Meanwhile, anticipation is building as the first race of the season is set to kick off this Saturday, March 2nd.

For more great F1 content, check out Straight to the Grid