Steiner takes aim at F1 team boss in UNUSUAL football comparison
Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has said that some team owners ‘don’t understand’ that a so-called new manager bounce is not as relevant in F1 as other sports.
The Italian was recently replaced in his role by former chief race engineer at the team Ayao Komatsu, following a season in which Haas finished rock bottom of the standings.
Steiner had been the team principal since Haas’ inception into the sport back in 2016, and team owner Gene Haas cited the lack of a podium in that time as one of the reasons for Steiner’s sacking.
Komatsu has already revealed what he will change within the team’s ethos in order to avoid another ’embarrassing’ season.
Haas’ new manager bounce
Now, Steiner has drawn on comparisons with other sports – namely football – to give his thoughts on why Haas may have sacked him just two months before the start of the 2024 season.
“Because I think some people which own the teams – corporates, individuals – they don’t really understand,” he told Autosport.
“Formula 1, in 2024, in my opinion, looking at Bahrain this year, it’s pretty late [for a management change to have an impact],” Steiner said.
“You cannot change that anymore – what happens there, it’s done. The damage is done.
“You need to look what are the plans for 2026/2027. And people don’t want to hear that. Because everything is about the next result.
“As you say, it’s not like football where you change a few players and you can make a big difference,” he continued.
“In Formula 1, you cannot do that. In Formula 1, it’s just I think the understanding is not out there.”
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Major Angela Cullen change suggests F1 return for ex-Hamilton trainer
Lewis Hamilton’s former long-time physiotherapist and friend Angela Cullen has made a return to the United Kingdom fuelling suggestion she could be making a motorsports return.The 49-year-old worked for Mercedes F1 team for eight years, becoming a close confidant of Hamilton’s, while providing him with all of his fitness needs.
She announced last March at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that she would be moving on from her role with the team, and would be instead finding her ‘next big adventure’
The New Zealander has filled her time with travelling and high-adrenaline activities, much like Hamilton’s winter break, including a solo paragliding trip.
Hamilton’s rock
When Cullen left her role as Hamilton’s assistant and physiotherapist, the seven-time world champion sent out an emotional message to his friend, thanking her for everything she had done for him.
The Mercedes driver said: “For the last seven years @cullen_angela has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself. I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her.
“So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams. Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you 🚀✨”
Now, Cullen has revealed to her Instagram followers that she is back in the UK, with a picture of Tower Bridge in London appearing on her Story with the caption “Blessings 🙏”. With teams now starting to gear up for the new season, an opportunity to start again in F1 could be on hand to present itself.
Whether or not we will see her at more races in 2024 remains to be seen, but she did recently state that she was looking for ‘fresh opportunities’ in the New Year.
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