“The last thing I want is to speak with him.” Guenther Steiner didn’t mince any words when asked about his former boss. Who could blame him? While shopping for ham on vacation, he received the fateful call that broke the news of his immediate exit from the team. But Steiner wasn’t having any of it. While he was leaving the team, he wasn’t going to go down quiet. He threw a lawsuit on Haas, suing them for continuing the benefit from his years of hard work.

A year later, there seems to be some resolution for both parties. Having sued Haas F1 for profiting from his work with Drive to Survive and other media appearances, the Italian has dropped the suit in a surprising twist of events.

Guenther Steiner chooses to settle behind closed doors

Rather than fight it out in court, both sides chose mediation. On February 10, 2024, they reached a settlement. North Carolina court records confirmed the agreement. Steiner dismissed all claims with prejudice, ensuring he could never refile. Haas Formula, LLC released a statement: “Guenther Steiner has withdrawn all allegations previously made in his lawsuit, and all claims asserted against Haas Formula, LLC have been dismissed with prejudice.” The details remain undisclosed. No confirmation of compensation. No admission of wrongdoing. Just a quiet end.

Steiner had taken Haas Formula to court over unpaid commissions from 2021 to 2023. He claimed the team continued profiting from his name and likeness even after his departure. His legal team pointed to Drive to Survive, arguing that his outspoken persona had turned Haas F1 into a fan favorite, especially in the U.S. market. He believed the team built its identity around him—then cast him aside while still cashing in on his image. And to an extent, it was true. Haas F1 turned into a fan favorite on the Netflix show. Whether it was Steiner’s rants or his way of keeping things entertaining for fans, he was a clear favorite.

Then, when Haas couldn’t maintain a clear string of results despite their positive start to the 2022 regulations, Haas decided to let him go. It wasn’t just a business decision. It was a severing of the face that had defined the team since its F1 debut in 2016. Steiner had been more than a team principal—he was the voice, the attitude, and the spirit of Haas F1. He turned a midfield struggler into one of the most recognizable teams on the grid, not for its results, but for its raw, no-nonsense leadership. Yet, when his contract ended, there was no farewell, no tribute—just silence.

Now, with the legal battle over, it seems there finally might be some resolution, considering the statement from Haas. “Haas Formula, LLC is pleased to announce that Guenther Steiner and Haas Formula, LLC have resolved their dispute, that Guenther Steiner has withdrawn all allegations previously made in his lawsuit, and all claims asserted against Haas Formula, LLC have been dismissed with prejudice. Both Mr. Steiner and Haas Formula, LLC wish each other success in their future endeavors and will have no further comments on this matter.”

And while the legal matter is resolved, Steiner has no qualms about making his thoughts known about his former boss. And he isn’t being kind at all. In a book he worked on about his experiences working at Haas, Steiner explained one memory that stood out when Haas insisted on giving him baked beans to eat on a private jet. He revealed to his writer, “This is real. I told the ghostwriter that story, and he said, ‘Are you f——  making this s— up? No, this is true! This is what I lived for 10 years!” 

With Steiner working on several projects, perhaps fans will see more of his experiences with the American team.

What has Steiner been up to since exiting Haas?

Having worked in F1 for over 10 years in a senior role for a team, suddenly having a lot of time on your hands wasn’t going to be easy for Guenther Steiner, but it seems the Italian had some plans on his plate for the future. He already started work with The Red Flags podcast to promote the sport in America. Given his popularity in the country, it won’t be too difficult for him, especially since his outspoken nature is highly appreciated among the fans.

Apart from this Steiner’s book, Unfiltered has been one of his biggest projects after his time at Haas. The 10 years he spent establishing the team and bringing it to its current stage has been one that has fans excited. Just last year, Steiner went across a tour of the United Kingdom promoting his book, with fans showing up in droves to meet the ex-Team Principal.

Spending time outside of the paddock, Steiner has realized one thing. Despite the highs and lows of his time at Haas, the Italian things he should have exited sooner. “When you see it clearly, it’s like, ‘why the hell did I stay so long?” 

Whether his exit at Haas actually helps the team, in the long run, will only be seen once the 2026 regulations kick in and the team’s results come in. Only then will Gene Haas and Steiner both understand how much Ayao Komatsu has really brought to the table.