Former Haas team boss Gunter Steiner is rumored to be set to return to F1, this time as his own team owner.
Steiner parted ways with the U.S. national team over the winter after he could no longer agree with owner Gene Haas on the team's direction.
Gunter Steiner involved in bid for F1 team ownership
However, Steiner has not disappeared from public life since leaving Haas, with the Italian-American registered as a pundit for several broadcasters and even becoming an ambassador for the Miami Grand Prix.
Steiner also worked directly on behalf of F1 at the Australian Grand Prix, conducting post-race interviews with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Lando Norris.
However, Steiner is reportedly eyeing an opportunity to return to F1 behind the scenes and, according to Japanese publication Autosport Web, is seeking ownership of the team.
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The report, released earlier this week, suggests Mr Steiner has already found investors who are keen and willing to join F1 and have the funds to back up his investment.
Steiner was also quoted as saying, “I have no interest in running a team on the same premise as Haas.''
“I've spent a number of years in F1 so I want to do more than just participate and score points every now and then. I want to really compete and win.
“If I don't have that opportunity, I'm not going to go back just to run a team.”
According to reports, Steiner is said to be interested in Red Bull's second team, RB, and as a condition of the sale, the power unit developed by Red Bull Powertrain will be in operation from 2026 to 2030, and as a condition of the sale, Steiner will be interested in joining Red Bull's junior team. It is said that it is compulsory for the participants to participate. driver.
However, sources close to the situation say that despite Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently revealing that there is significant interest in acquiring the Faenza-based company, Steiner He indicated to PlanetF1.com that he has not had any discussions with RB about a possible sale. squad.
RB is currently undergoing a period of rebirth, with Franz Tost stepping down after nearly 20 years at the helm and rebranding under new management in 2024.
He will be replaced by CEO Peter Beyer and team principal Laurent Mequise, who are working hard to lift the team to the constructors' championship after a disappointing 2023. After four races, the team is in 6th place in the standings.
When Marko was asked if there were rumors that RB was for sale from OE24, he replied: “There are many stakeholders, but ultimately it is a shareholder decision.
“It's a big cost for the team, but nothing has been decided yet.”
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