SA Gunther Steiner he is better known for his role as Team Principal on the team yes formula 1. However, his figure gained a lot of fame as a result of the docuseries’Drive for a Living’ from Netflix, where his anger at poor results went viral and his strong character is known to every fan of the Great Circus. A character who has nothing to do when you chat with him about his life and his role on the North American team. At the presentation of his book, he attended MD and left nothing unanswered.
What is the process of writing a book?
“When they proposed to me I said I didn’t want to do a biography but they told me they wanted something else. I didn’t have much time but they told me not to be very involved. We talked for 15-20 minutes after each race, then I invited them with the team in 2022 to meet and talk to the rest of the team. The stories about me came out in the dinners we did, I didn’t sit down for a day to talk about my past. It came out very easily .
Despite the unexpected, are you satisfied?
“We did it in such a way that you didn’t realize you were writing a book. The most difficult job was making the audiobook. I didn’t think it was as complicated. It was the most time we spent.”
But it is clear that its popularity is growing in the wake of Drive to Survive. Has anything changed for you since then?
“I don’t change. Obviously in some places like Australia I can’t walk from the hotel to the circuit because it would take me 2 hours. That’s all that has changed, the rest remains the same. There’s no reason to change. guys, it’s good for Formula 1, for Haas, for me…”
Do you think the public appreciates him appearing in documentaries as himself?
“I’m not doing anything different because I don’t want to. I’m happy like this, so why change?”
How do you perceive the growing interest in Formula 1?
“I live in the United States and I notice a lot there. You notice it especially with young people, which is a very positive thing for sport. Every sport wants to involve young people. Although I don’t think it’s because just Drive to Survive. The documentary it taught people and that’s why they started watching it. They found it fun to watch. And having an event around racing on the weekend attracts the attention of young people . Now they don’t want you to just watch the race and go home.” .
Do you think, thanks to Drive to Survive, people know more about what is behind a Team Principal?
“There’s no doubt. A lot of people tell me that they don’t know a lot of things behind it. For us it served to teach what we do because no one wants to say it. It’s like a wall and now that we explained. this, people are interesting When you do this as your job you think it’s normal, but people don’t see it that way. In fact, they consider it a bit ‘crazy’ .”
What was the most difficult moment as team manager at Haas?
“I think the most difficult moment was when the COVID issue broke out. I had to make sure the team survived, which is not easy. You don’t know what will happen in the next few days because of your pandemic I don’t know if it’s getting better or running gets worse. It’s not an event, it’s a season. From February to July 2020, it’s very difficult.”
A few years ago you had two young talents, now you chose two experienced drivers, why this change in philosophy?
“First of all in 2020 we had to change driver pairs because we couldn’t afford them and we knew 2021 would be difficult. And with experienced drivers, who don’t have a chance to succeed, it’s even harder to manage. They quickly become disillusioned and don’t want to compete. With a rookie, even if the car is not competitive, they gain experience and it is a learning experience. But even though we are in a favorable situation again, we are still the youngest team in grid. It’s only our eighth year and the next youngest team is 20 years older. So we’re still young and we have to catch up. And it’s not just a matter of money anymore thanks to the ceiling in budget. Now, history, experience, also counts. And this second is only acquired with time and with a rookie the only experience they get is ours. Improving the team in a short period of time is based on putting the injection of experience And that’s why we chose Hülkenberg. He was in teams in the central zone and did a very good job. He helped build them.”
And speaking of experience, what can you tell me about Alonso? How do you assess his role from the point of view of head of a rival team?
“I think he is an extraordinary athlete. I always tell my colleagues, during a race the driver I listen to is Alonso because he really analyzes what is happening, he knows what to look for, he understands the tires. .. He’s good, but how incredible “It’s just that he’s very talented but normally as you get older you slow down. But he’s still at his best and it’s amazing to combine his skills with his talent. He’s just one of the best.”
Why does it seem impossible to approach big teams from the central zone?
“The budget cap will change many things. But if you stop to think, in the Monaco standings from poleman to 15 there is only one second. Think how long a second is in a minute and 15 seconds. The second does not exist ” The it’s all very strict but it either succeeds you or it doesn’t. This sport is very sophisticated, we all build our car independently, with our engines, our drivers and we all finish in one second, fifteen cars. It’s unbelievable. It’s very difficult because some teams have a lot of history, a lot of data… Aston Martin has taken a big step forward. They finished seventh last year and are now second or third. They show that it’s possible, you can’t give up. I think F1 will never be the sport where everyone can win and I don’t think it’s bad. Because if your work is good you must have an advantage. If you’re slow, you won’t have an advantage later, you have to fight for everything. I think that’s good and I think in the years to come we’ll push even harder.”
Another important name in recent years is that of Mick Schumacher. How was the decision not to renew him faked?
“From my position I have to do my job for the team and we want a driver with experience, something Mick doesn’t have. We made a decision because in the end I work for Haas and it’s not easy for anyone. I still think it is the right decision. For Gaining experience takes time and we didn’t have this time. That’s why we consider that Nico was the solution to it.”
Finally, one word to define your pilots?
“Experienced. Same for both”
thank you for your time
Yours
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
