--- title: "The Five Best Guenther Steiner F1 Moments" description: "The fan-favorite Haas team principal has left the paddock, so let's remember him with some funny clips from over the years." date: "2024-01-13" modified: "2024-01-13" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-five-best-guenther-steiner-f1-moments" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # The Five Best Guenther Steiner F1 Moments ![]() *\Bryn Lennon/Formula 1 via Getty Images\* This week we sadly learned it's [all over for Haas F1 Team's Guenther Steiner](), the former head of [Formula 1's]() only American team and, fittingly, the unlikely star of the sport's rise to American prominence. While his replacement, longtime Haas chief engineer Ayao Komatsu, seems to be a natural fit for Steiner's old gig, he assuredly won't bring the same, shall we say, enthusiasm to interviews. That's why we've compiled this short list of our favorite Guenther Steiner moments to tide us over until he hopefully lands on his feet at another squad, or the workplace sitcom he's producing hits the airwaves. Warning: If you didn't already know, the following videos contain gratuitous cursing. But that's what you came for, right? ## The 2019 British Grand Prix Meltdown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6dFnuqHY10 We begin with a short view back to the past: specifically, the 2019 British Grand Prix, where Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean [collided on the first lap](), resulting in punctures and subsequent DNFs for both cars. Steiner had choice words for both of his men that were later revealed on the second season of *Drive to Survive*, and Magnussen responded with a "fuck smash" of Steiner's office door. ## "Hugging" the Whole Paddock at the 2022 Saudi Arabian GP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM55gvHYBQg Missile strike aside, the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix ended decently well for Haas, as Magnussen finished ninth for two points. During a post-race interview, Steiner reflected on how the result was one to be pleased with, but it was the *way* he relayed this sentiment that raised eyebrows, especially those of Haas' PR representative and the interviewee. If you ask Guenther, he claims he said he "would've *hugged* the whole paddock" for two points in 2021. And indeed, the boss' accent blends the sounds enough that that suggestion is plausible. But that's clearly not the way those present at the time heard it, judging from the looks on their faces, and we know Steiner has a penchant for four-letter words. Also, the team went so far as to [upload a clip of this interview to YouTube](), perhaps suggesting its own agenda in this narrative. Draw your own conclusions, folks. ## "It's Better Than Spinning the Car" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LRwiNDnels Nikita Mazepin's tenure with Haas was particularly painful for everyone to endure, but given that Steiner had to manage the [entitled son of a billionaire](), you'd imagine that his frustration was on a somewhat personal level. Fortunately, Steiner also appears to have a habit of dealing with these things with humor, as he did when he [gifted the Russian driver with a spinning top in 2021](). "You spin this one; it's better \[than\] spinning the car," he adds at the end there, just to make sure Mazepin *really* gets the joke. ## Guenther and Mattia Take Italy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzcCr1hiydU Here's one that's less funny, more refreshing. If you think about it, neither Steiner[ nor former Scuderia Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto]() is employed in F1 anymore. We're not sure what Binotto's doing these days, but now could be the perfect time for the two to seize this moment and start their own travel show. They simply have a great dynamic—Mattia being soft-spoken and tranquil, and Guenther being that ball-buster you just heard four minutes ago unwilling to suffer anymore "fucking wank" from his drivers. ## Making Everyone Uncomfortable at Dinner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aapL5z9wt1o This one might just be my personal favorite. You know how most people have that voice in their head that questions whether the joke they're about to tell is perhaps a little too mean? Sure, mine doesn't always step in quite in time, but I'm not sure Guenther Steiner has one at all, judging from this brutal roasting that elicited nervous laughter at a Haas function at Romain Grosjean's expense, from the first season of *Drive to Survive*. The expression of the man in the green t-shirt after the boss jokes about not inviting Grosjean "because he doesn't deserve any food" gets me every time. This was but a short collection of our favorite Guenther Steiner clips, but I encourage you to share yours in the comments below. 2024 simply won't be the same fucking season without him. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()