After 10 years in the job, it was announced today (10th of January 2024) that Guenther Steiner would be leaving his position as Haas team principal effective immediately with Ayao Komatsu taking over for the 2024 season and beyond.
Guenther Steiner is leaving his role as Team Principal of Haas F1 📸 F1
In a statement released by the team, Owner Gene Haas said “I’d like to start by extending my thanks to Guenther Steiner for all his hard work over the past decade and I wish him well for the future,” before explaining that the reason behind the departure was down to an improvement of performance was needed. “Moving forward as an organization it was clear we need to improve our on-track performances”.
Speaking on the newly appointed Team Principal Gene spoke highly of the Japan native who has been working with the team since its debut in 2016. "In appointing Ayao Komatsu as Team Principal we fundamentally have engineering at the heart of our management.”
Ayao Komatsu will take over the role for the 2024 season and beyond 📸 Autosport
In the same statement, Komatsu showed his excitement for this new journey in his career and taking on the job as team leader. “Having been with the team since its track-debut back in 2016 I’m obviously passionately invested in its success in Formula 1. I’m looking forward to leading our program and the various competitive operations internally to ensure we can build a structure that produces improved on-track performances.”
A well liked figure in the paddock and the wider F1 community whose lack of presence will surely feel strange with Steiners departure but this move may be exactly what Haas needs to see itself progress up the table and into a competitive team.
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