Guenther Steiner hints F1 cost cap behind dramatic team change

F1 News & Gossip

Steiner hints cost cap behind dramatic F1 team change

Former Haas boss has interesting views on cost cap rules

Dan Ripley Global Editor

Professional F1 journalist and analyst

Thursday 11 January 2024 11:57

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Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner insists that the significance of the cost cap rules in Formula 1 have had huge implications on teams.

Steiner was shockingly dismissed from his role at the American outfit on Wednesday following 10 years at the helm, and has been replaced by Ayao Komatsu.

Pundits were stunned at his dismissal, which came after the team finished rock bottom of the constructors' championship in 2023. #

Guenther Steiner lost his job as Haas team principal on Wednesday

Haas ended the 2023 Formula 1 season bottom of the constructors' championship

Guenther Steiner believes McLaren's dramatic reversal in fortunes was positively influenced by cost cap rules

Cost cap opens up possibilities

Steiner though previously suggested that the cost cap rules in F1 were evidence of how quickly a team can turn around their fortunes, referring to McLaren's 2023 transformation from also rans near the back of the grid to their rapid progress in becoming lead challengers to Red Bull.

“When you look at, for example, McLaren and where they were at the beginning of the 2023 season – nowhere – and where they ended up being the challenger to Red Bull is quite amazing what is doable," Steiner told Speedcafe.

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“I'm not saying that they're going to do the same thing, but it just to put that in perspective, a lot is possible with the cost cap.

“You need to do a good job. It's not all about money anymore. Look at AlphaTauri in the last five, six races, they came up strong and caught up very quickly and ended up in P8.

“I don't want to see always the negative [with the cost cap] I want to see the positive, we have to use it and just go do a good job and that is what we will try to do.”

Formula 1 Haas Guenther Steiner Ayao Komatsu