Guenther Steiner couldn’t be as tough on drivers at big F1 team

Haas boss Guenther Steiner says he would not be able to replicate his no-nonsense management style if he was leading a “big, corporate” Formula 1 team.

Steiner has led the American squad’s F1 project since it joined the grid in 2016 and has been a key figure behind Haas establishing itself as a consistent midfield challenger across the past four years.

During his tenure, Steiner has implemented a tough approach when managing his drivers, something which was particularly apparent - and highlighted in Netflix’s Drive To Survive series - during a frustrating 2019 season as an intra-team rivalry emerged between Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.

Speaking to Sky F1, Steiner credited the “freedom” he has been provided by Haas team owner Gene Haas for enabling him to be himself.

“Absolutely, I think it’s part of my job,” Steiner said.

“What I have to say, I’m fortunate that we are a small team. Gene Haas is very open to it.

“If you worked for a big corporate you couldn’t be like this, I know that. But I’ve got quite a bit of freedom on that side and I’m very honest in it.”

Grosjean and Magnussen clashed on multiple occasions as Haas struggled for competitiveness throughout last season. Despite the obvious difficulties this has caused, Steiner says he relishes the challenge.

“If you don’t have a clear one and two this will always happen,” he explained.

“It was a difficult season last year. They want to show off who is the better one.

“It’s not just unlucky, but it’s part of the game. I’d rather have that than a driver who don’t care.”