Former Haas Formula 1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner has cautioned Andretti over its ailing F1 bid as it continues to target reaching the pinnacle of motorsport for the 2026 season.
The damning public rejection by F1 resulted from frenzied political lobbying by the motorsport giant, with F1 opting to flex its muscles when discrediting the bid accepted by the FIA.
The failed attempt has seemingly cost CEO Michael Andretti his role, as he announced this week he would be stepping down, handing the reigns to business partner David Towriss.
This leaves the future of any potential 2026 entry at the risk of falling away, despite the ongoing investigation by the US Department for Justice aiming to apply pressure for a resolution.
Speaking to RacingNews365, Steiner gave insight into how Haas secured its entry for the 2016 season, highlighting the caution that was lacking behind Andretti’s bid to join the sport.
“This time the process was tightened up because the stakes were much higher with every team worth a billion dollars, but you need to be careful with what you do.”
He also highlighted that Haas “got agreements from both [the FIA and FOM] together,” a detail that Andretti infamously failed to secure.
A misguided strategy
Steiner cautioned the outfit’s aggressive tactics to secure entry, including attempting to influence the decision-making process by approaching teams to sign Andretti’s expression of interest in 2022.
Only two teams signed the document, but Michael Andretti continued to lobby hard, finding an ally in FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, though this has also dissipated in recent weeks.
Revealing his stance on the saga, Steiner had his trademark blunt opinion on the bid, stating the deal should be made behind closed doors as opposed to the very public fallout witnessed.
“First you make the deal,” he said, “then you go public. You don’t go public and try and make the deal.”
The engine behind the bid is also a point of contention. Securing Cadillac’s Goliath resources impressed many but would not be seen until 2028, with a customer deal needed initially.
The former Haas Team Principal commented on the lifeline thrown by F1, suggesting re-application in 2028, but added progress with the engine must be seen to move forward.
“FOM left the door open in saying, ‘show us what you can do with the engine.’
“I have no idea if GM has shown something to FOM or not, but that is what you have to do.”
Andretti expanded its F1 preparations in 2024, including setting up a UK base of operations at Silverstone with Chief F1 Technical Officer Pat Symonds’s arrival imminent.
READ MORE: Michael Andretti confirms shift to advisory role in letter to fans
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