- Italian had been team principal for 10 years
- Ayao Komatsu takes over for new F1 season
The Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner, has been replaced for the new Formula One season after 10 years in charge. Steiner’s removal is a blow for the sport, with the Italian one of the most colourful and charismatic characters in the paddock, who played a key role in F1’s recent surge in popularity, especially in the US.
The US-based team, whose factory is located in Banbury, Oxfordshire announced on Wednesday the 58-year-old will be replaced by their former director of engineering Ayao Komatsu. It is understood Steiner was not sacked but that his contract, which had concluded, was not renewed.