Guenther Steiner is the Team Principal of Haas F1 Team. Born in Merano, Italy, he began his motorsport career in rallying, achieving success with Mazda and later with the Top Run team and Jolly Club. As Technical Manager, he played a key role in securing consecutive Italian Rally Championship titles from 1994 to 1996.
Guenther moved to Prodrive in the UK, where he became team manager for the Allstar Rally Team, winning the European Championship in its first season. This success led to his role as Director of Engineering for Ford’s rally team, M-Sport, where he worked with World Champions Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz.
In 2002, Guenther transitioned to Formula 1 with Jaguar Racing as Managing Director, restructuring the team and achieving a podium finish in Italy with driver Eddie Irvine. After a brief period with Opel, he returned to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing and later established Red Bull's NASCAR programme in the USA.
When Gene Haas decided to create a Formula One team, he appointed Guenther to lead the initiative. Under his guidance, Haas F1 Team debuted in 2016, finishing eighth in the constructor standings with 29 points, the highest for any new team in this millennium. The team became a prominent independent competitor, achieving its first Formula 1 pole position in 2022 with driver Kevin Magnussen. Guenther served as Team Principal from 2016 to 2023.
Guenther has gained popularity in the media and among fans for his candid style and humour, particularly featured in "Drive to Survive." His 2023 book "Survive to Drive" topped The Sunday Times bestseller list. Fluent in English, German, and Italian, he is a recognised figure in Formula 1, offering insights on leadership and team management at various events.
In "Leadership in Motorsport," Gunther Steiner shares his insights on building and leading high-performance teams within the dynamic environment of Formula 1. Drawing from his extensive experience, he discusses effective strategies for fostering collaboration, resilience, and innovation. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on navigating challenges and inspiring teams to achieve excellence in high-pressure situations, equipping them with practical tools for leadership success.
Gunther Steiner shares his expertise in team management and operations, drawing from his experience building a Formula 1 team from the ground up. He emphasises the importance of operational excellence and strategic planning in achieving success. Attendees will gain valuable insights into effective leadership, team dynamics, and the critical elements that drive high-performance environments. This session promises to equip participants with practical strategies to enhance their team management skills.
In his presentation, Gunther Steiner explores the crucial role of advanced technologies and innovative practices in gaining a competitive edge in Formula One and motorsport. He delves into how these elements drive performance and efficiency within the industry. Attendees will gain insights into the latest technological advancements and strategies that can be applied to enhance their competitive standing in the fast-paced world of motorsport.
Would you like a workshop customised to meet your organisation’s specific needs and hosted by your chosen expert? Designed for your use case and supported by experienced facilitators, these interactive programs combine theory with real-world experience and provide leaders with practical skills that can be immediately applied. This approach fosters authentic behavioural change, improves leadership capabilities, and upskills your people across various subject areas. Get in touch with PepTalk today to learn how your team can benefit.
