“It’s the Biggest Compliment“: Haas Boss Responds to F1 Controversy With Simple Resolution

A week ago, the FIA gave everyone a shocking surprise. They announced the 2023 F1 calendar with a record number of 24 races. Not a lot of people were happy with it, especially the F1 teams. But it seems like the Haas F1 team is an exception to that.

Haas’s team principal, Guenther Steiner, spoke to Motorsport in support of the 2023 calendar.

Haas team principal is optimistic about the 2023 calendar

For the first time, there will be 24 races in one F1 season, and everyone agrees it is quite a lot to handle for the teams.

Guenther Steiner is no exception to that. He agreed that the number of races in 2023 is a lot. But according to Steiner, it is an important point as well.

In his words, it is indeed a lot, “But apparently there is a demand for it.” (translated using Google Translate)

“The fact that fans like to watch what we do is of course the biggest compliment they can give,” the team boss said with satisfaction. “We have to work hard to make them happy.”

Speaking on the addition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix to the calendar, Steiner, the team boss of the only American team in F1, also commented on having more races in the US.

“The sport is already very popular there, but it is currently becoming even more so. It’s a good thing that there will be more races there.”

READ MORE: Disputed 2023 Calendar Sparks Drama Between $15 Million Worth Liberty Media & FIA

The Haas team principal seems to consider it a good sign that there are more races next year. It speaks to how big F1 is getting and the demand there is for it. That is definitely a way of looking at the bright side of things.

Chaos between the FIA and Liberty Media over the 2023 calendar

However, the other F1 teams are not so optimistic. With so many races come increased triple-headers which are not pleasant for the teams. Additionally, it looks like the FIA released the calendar without approving the last set of triple-headers.

The FIA has not just angered the teams with their impromptu announcement. Liberty Media, who along with the FIA release the F1 calendar in a joint press release, is also offended.

Apparently, the release of the calendar came as a shock to Liberty Media as well.

“The FIA on this occasion did not inform Liberty Media of the release of the calendar, and in the London offices the staff under the direction of Stefano Domenicali learned of it without any notice.”

According to Motorsports Italy, for Liberty Media, it is “a spite that has not gone unnoticed”.

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F1 and the FIA have been at loggerheads for quite some time now. The matter of the calendar has only added fuel to the fire. Hopefully, 2023 will turn out as optimistic as Steiner believes.