Steiner leaves Haas F1 Team with immediate effect

The Haas Formula 1 squad has confirmed that Guenther Steiner hasdeparted his role as Team Principal ahead of this year's campaign.Ayao Komatsu has been promoted to the position in his place,stepping up from the Director of Engineering duties. Steiner hasbeen at the helm of the Haas team since it arrived on the grid asF1's newest team in 2016. Under his leadership, it reached a highof fifth place in the Constructors' Championship, achieved in 2018.However, Haas has been confined to the rear end of the peckingorder across the last handful of seasons and ended last year'scampaign at the bottom of the Constructors' standings. “I’d like tostart by extending my thanks to Guenther Steiner for all his hardwork over the past decade and I wish him well for the future, ”said team owner Gene Haas. “Moving forward as an organization itwas clear we need to improve our on-track performances. Inappointing Ayao Komatsu as Team Principal we fundamentally haveengineering at the heart of our management. Haas calls forimprovements As it looks to bounce back from a difficult campaign,Haas has backed Komatsu to lift the team from its slump. “We havehad some successes, but we need to be consistent in deliveringresults that help us reach our wider goals as an organization,”Gene Haas continued. “We need to be efficient with the resources wehave but improving our design and engineering capability is key toour success as a team. “I’m looking forward to working with Ayaoand fundamentally ensuring that we maximize our potential – thistruly reflects my desire to compete properly in Formula 1.” Haasenters the 2024 F1 season with an unchanged line-up from last yearas it once again field Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.