Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has admitted that he would be open to making a return to the championship, provided the opportunity is a genuine “project”.
Steiner, who quickly became a fan-favourite personality through Netflix’s Drive to Survive, was replaced as Haas team principal in January 2024. Since his exit, the 61-year-old has become a regular guest on The Red Flags Podcast and a television pundit in the F1 paddock, as well as taking an ownership stake in the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team.
During an interview on the Up To Speed podcast with co-hosts Jolie Sharpe and former F1 driver David Coulthard, Steiner confirmed he would be open to a return to the series.
“I would come back if there is a project I like,” Steiner said. “There are so many things I like to do, and if you look at me, the last 10-20 years were always projects. I was not going for a job because just doing a job, I wouldn’t say it’s boring to me, but there’s not enough excitement. It needs to be something that really challenges me.
Guenther Steiner
Photo by: Jayce Illman / Getty Images
“You will be asking now what a project means. A project means something you can shape yourself, not just going in because I don’t live by a job title. I couldn’t care less about the job title. For me, it’s doing something I like to do.”
Steiner went on to joke about dipping his toes into television work because he “wanted to be as good as David”.
He added: “When I left, I went into TV. I didn’t know that that industry even existed. But then I got an offer, I said I’d try it because I wanted to be as good as David. I haven’t achieved it yet. So, I think it was easier to start an F1 team than to get as good as David on TV.”
