Gunther Steiner reveals explosive details surrounding his departure from Haas F1, citing a $20 million sponsorship deal and equity demand as the crux of the controversy.
In a recent interview with Ziggo Sport’s Jack Plooij, Steiner shed light on the circumstances behind his sudden exit from the American outfit, leaving the F1 world in shock and unveiling the full extent of the rift between him and billionaire team owner Gene Haas. But Steiner then asked Plooij not to reveal some of his most explosive answers.
“He then sent me a message saying ‘Jack, just say it’,” Plooij revealed.
Steiner disclosed that while he secured a lucrative $20 million sponsorship, his request for shares in the team was met with resistance from Haas. “Gunther had found a $20 million sponsor. But he also wanted shares in the team to stay with Haas. (Gene) Haas said ‘No, we won’t do that’,” Plooij divulged.
The culmination of this dispute led Steiner to take decisive action. “Steiner himself pulled the plug,” Plooij added.
Despite his exit from the team, Steiner remains in the F1 spotlight, set to offer punditry for German broadcaster RTL during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
