Former Haas team manager, Günther Steiner, has become an indispensable figure in the world of Formula 1, thanks to his role as a consultant for Canal+ during the United States Grand Prix and his appearance in the popular Netflix series.
Steiner’s rapid-fire delivery and unmistakable guttural accent immediately set the tone. At 59, after losing his position as Haas team manager at the end of last season, the Italian embarked on a new career as a consultant for RTL in Germany and Canal+ in France.
Before his appearance on Canal+ for the US Grand Prix, he discusses his direct style and reflects on his fame gained from the successful Netflix series, Drive to Survive.
From Team Manager to Consultant
“Do you enjoy analyzing races as a consultant as much as you did managing a F1 team?”
It’s not about more or less enjoyment, it’s more complex than that. I like the new challenge. When you have a long experience in F1, you face a challenge race after race but it becomes repetitive. Becoming a consultant, I cross to the other side of the fence, which is great. And I’m enjoying it.
“What are you learning in this new role?”
I’m discovering everything around the track, this media universe. When you manage a team, you think you’re the most important person at the event. You don’t realize the amount of money and the number of people invested in providing a good show for people watching on TV. When Canal+ contacted me, I just said: “My French is not good enough…” They replied: “That’s not a problem, we’ll translate, people want to hear you!”
“What is your main strength?”
I was still a team manager last year and I have good inside information because I know 80 to 90% of the people in F1. I’ve been in this environment for so long that I’m getting old and everyone ends up knowing me. I can talk to anyone.
Steiner’s Unique Style
“On TV, do you use the same language as when you were the manager of Haas?”
No, you won’t find any clip where I drop an F-bomb as a consultant. However, in private, it’s a different story…
“Your former driver Romain Grosjean (2016-2020) often heard that word and this weekend, you’ll be in the same group of consultants…”
People think we’re on bad terms because they remember our arguments. We just took different paths but we’re always there for each other. I texted him three weeks ago, I went to see him at the Indianapolis 500 and this weekend, we’re meeting on Canal+. We know each other so well, we can speak our minds, laugh and tease each other. It will be fun for the viewers.
Ralf Schumacher No Longer Wants to Speak to Me
At the start of the season, I was asked which free agent driver I would take next season if I were in charge of Alpine. I answered Carlos Sainz Jr. He thought I would mention Mick Schumacher (his nephew) and he got upset. But I don’t care, I did nothing wrong. Everyone has the right to their own opinion… If you tell me that Pierre Gasly is the best driver in the world because he is French, I have the right to say no and I hope you won’t be angry.
The Netflix Series “Drive to Survive” Has Boosted Your Popularity. How Do You Explain This?
I can’t. (He smiles.) I’ve never watched it, absolutely never. An actor needs to watch himself to improve for the next shoot, that’s normal. But I’m not an actor. So, if I watched myself, I wouldn’t feel comfortable in front of a camera afterwards, I might not be quite the same. I don’t want to lose my authenticity. If people like it, great, if they don’t, they can turn off the TV.
Has This Series Changed Your Life?
I didn’t play it for my career, it just happened and they filmed it. I was the same thirty or forty years ago and my friends say I haven’t changed. Today, I’m much older, more mature and I’ve learned a lot. But it’s not because of this series, it’s thanks to my work.
You’ve Been Much More in Demand in Recent Years…
Of course. And, obviously, being stopped in the street, in airports, in shops changes your life, but all this is not serious. The only thing that changes at first is this: suddenly, everyone knows your name and asks you for selfies. You simply say “yes” and if people are happy, that’s fine with me because it’s good for Formula 1. But I won’t take advantage of it and I will never change, don’t worry!
Will We See You in the Next Season of “Drive to Survive”?
I participated in some shoots at the beginning and middle of the season, so I think I’ll appear but I don’t know exactly what they’ll keep.
You Also Appear in the Trailer for Brad Pitt’s “F1” Film, Which Will Be Released Next June. Was This Shot During a Real Grand Prix?
No, it was acting.
So, You Are an Actor…
No, to be considered an actor, you have to be paid for it… (He laughs.) I got to know Jerry Bruckheimer (the producer) and “Jo” Kosinski (the director) well. They asked me to play this little sequence and I said: “OK, it’s fun.” I was fascinated by the amount of technology used for this film.
Are You Satisfied with This New Life in the Media, or Do You Want to Bounce Back into a Team?
I’ve never asked for anything, a lot of things have come to me. I’m not looking to get a team director position just to have a job, but a project where I feel we can succeed.
