Steiner: Race in Austin has become a classic

Ahead of the US Grand Prix, Haas team principal Gunther Steiner spoke about the upcoming race and America’s place in modern Formula 1.

Q: Formula 1 returns to Austin, at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), and this circuit will host the US Grand Prix for the tenth time. Can you summarize what gives the American podium the championship, how it contributes to the increase in the popularity of our sport?
Gunther Steiner: When the US Grand Prix was first held in Austin, it was seen as something completely new. Formula 1 races have not been held in America for a long time, so there were many skeptics who believed that nothing would come of it.

But thanks to Bobby Epstein, who has worked hard on his project, this race has now, after 10 years, become one of the most loved, we can say that it has acquired the status of a classic. Fans are enjoying it immensely and up to 400,000 spectators are expected to attend COTA this weekend.

Q: For Haas F1 this is a home event so the program is very rich, there will be many different events including some surprises. Does this mean you are under more pressure during your home race? Or is it a happy moment for the whole team, an opportunity to appreciate the progress made in Formula 1 over seven years?
Gunther Steiner: There will be this and that. First of all, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s all fun chores. Everyone on the team loves this race, everyone loves coming to Austin. A lot of pleasant moments await us there, there is no negative point at all and I hope that we will be able to show good results.

Q: It’s hard not to notice that the Netflix-produced Drive to Survive documentary series almost makes you a more popular character in the paddock than the racers. Many fans want your autograph and have their picture taken with you. What do you think of this increased attention, does it disrupt race weekends?
Gunther Steiner: You have to get used to it and where possible I try to meet the needs of the fans. This doesn’t always work, because now the attention for me is really big, but I treat the audience with respect. I have to admit that we are nothing without fans, and I like to communicate with them, so I do everything in my power for them.

Q: The US Grand Prix attracts all true American racing fans, but this year the first race was held in Miami and the next round is scheduled in Las Vegas. Do you think all of these races will be popular in the US, and what will each of them bring to the championship?
Gunther Steiner: I would say that real Formula 1 fans come to COTA because this race has been held for ten years and everyone loves it. It does a great job, everything is coolly organized and Austin is a beautiful city.

Miami is Miami, there were a lot of people this year, and that’s still an understatement. Now there is another great stage of the season, but it is completely different in character and more like a big festival.

I don’t know what awaits us in Las Vegas, but everything will be great there too. We should always remember that the US is a big country, where in my opinion even three races will not be enough. Everyone can find for himself what interests him, each stage has its own characteristics. In two cases, their organizers did a good job and I’m sure everything will be just as good in Las Vegas.