Heading into 2024, Guenther Steiner made the majority of the headlines as his tenure at Haas came to an end after serving as the team principal for almost a decade. He was more than just the team boss though, he is the very reason the team exists in the first place. It was Steiner’s idea to create F1’s first American team, an idea on which he got Gene Haas on board with the investment side of things. Despite his unwavering dedication, Steiner’s departure came amidst a lack of significant achievements on the racing front. Gene Haas, the team’s owner, stated the lack of results as the primary reason behind Steiner’s exit.

And now that Steiner has had some time off from the sport, he recently reflected on the quality of his life since leaving the team on his very first feature column on Formula 1’s official website. Back in his homeland America, the 58-year-old is taking a much-needed break from the fast-paced world of motorsport. Looking back on his time as team principal, Steiner acknowledged that staying with the team for as long as he did may have been a mistake.

“Life has been good since I left Haas ahead of this season. These last few weeks are the first time I’ve switched off from F1 for around a decade. This time has been good for me. The longer time goes on, the more I can see that I stayed at Haas too long,” Guenther Steiner wrote in his Formula 1 feature.

Since stepping away, he’s found a sense of contentment that had been missing during his tenure. It’s during this period of separation from the world of Formula 1 that Steiner has gained much-needed clarity. He recognized that while being involved in the daily grind, it’s easy to overlook the bigger picture and deceive oneself into believing that the current situation is sustainable. During his time at Haas, Steiner observed the team’s struggles to compete at the sharp end.

While they could occasionally fight for mid-table positions, the podium remained out of reach due to a lack of resources when compared with the top teams. Drawing parallels with the success stories of Toto Wolff at Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, Steiner emphasizes the importance of patience and strategic planning in achieving long-term success in Formula 1. He concluded by expressing his desire to return to the F1 scene, however, it would have to be the right project for him to make that decision.

Guenther Steiner Sends Gene Haas a Brutal Stroke of “Reality” After Infamous Sacking

Even when he is away from the sport, Guenther Steiner doesn’t shy away from giving his advice on certain topics; like the situation at Mercedes with the impending departure of Lewis Hamilton.

Guenther Steiner suggests Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes

With the job of replacing the 7-time world champion at hand, Toto Wolff is not acting in haste. He is currently keeping a close eye on developments over at Red Bull Racing. It appears that Wolff has his sights set on none other than Max Verstappen, the 3-time reigning world champion. There’s talk that if tensions rise at Red Bull, Verstappen could become a serious contender for a spot at Mercedes. Guenther Steiner, known for his candid opinions, has labeled Verstappen as “the perfect candidate” for Mercedes, highlighting the level of interest surrounding the Dutchman.

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However, surprisingly, Steiner also suggests another option for Mercedes if Verstappen remains with Red Bull. He points to Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg as a potential candidate. Now, some might raise their eyebrows at this suggestion, considering Hulkenberg’s age of 36 and the fact that he’s never been on the podium in his lengthy Formula 1 career. With over 200 Grand Prix starts under his belt, Hulkenberg holds the record for the most races without a podium finish. But Steiner, speaking from his experience, sees Hulkenberg as a viable choice, stating, “If I were Mercedes team boss, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to Nico Hulkenberg.”

Do you think Nico Hulkenberg is on Wolff’s radar as a possible replacement for Hamilton? Let us know in the comments down below.