Steiner drops Haas F1 lawsuit after mediation

Guenther Steiner has dropped his lawsuit against the Haas Formula 1 outfit after the former team principal came to an agreement during mediation proceedings.

The 59-year-old initially sued Haas Formula, LLC in April of last year for what he claimed was money owed to him after his contract with the team was not renewed.

The case claimed Haas had built its success and fanbase largely on the back of Steiner, stating that “the popularity of Formula 1 in America is rapidly growing, and Haas F1 has grown with it. But neither Haas F1 nor Formula 1 would exist in the modern United States if not for Guenther Steiner.”

It was also claimed that Haas had continued to use Steiner’s name and likeness after he had been told his contract would not be renewed.

However, documentation from the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court shows that voluntary mediation was held and, after 28 hours and 36 minutes, the parties reached an agreement on all issues.

It also shows that Steiner dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled in the future.

Mechanics work on the car of Ryo Hirakawa, Haas VF-24

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

A statement from Haas released to Motorsport.com stated: “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pleased to announce that Guenther Steiner and Haas Formula, LLC have resolved their dispute, that Guenther Steiner has withdrawn all allegations previously made in his lawsuit, and all claims asserted against Haas Formula, LLC have been dismissed with prejudice.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 endeavours and will have no further comments on this matter.”

Steiner became the Haas team principal in 2014, two years before the squad made its F1 debut, and remained in the role until owner Gene Haas replaced him with Ayao Komatsu for 2024.

During his tenure, Haas had its best-ever finish of fifth in the 2018 constructors’ standings before Steiner became a favourite among Drive to Survive audiences for his forthright opinions.

But 2018 proved to be an anomaly, as Haas finished bottom of the championship in two of Steiner’s final three seasons before it claimed seventh in Komatsu’s first year as boss.

The American squad heads into 2025 with an all-new driver line-up of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, who were present with Komatsu at Tuesday’s F175 event in London to launch its new livery.