Steiner: I say what I think and I don’t want to offend anyone

The documentary series Drive to Survive, which has been shown by Netflix since 2019, has contributed to the rise in popularity not only of Formula 1 in general, but also of individual paddock characters. This also applies to Gunther Steiner, head of the Haas team.

In an interview with ESPN, he spoke about the changes that have taken place in his life after the release of five seasons of the series.

“I used to be less stopped on the street and I was less selfish in dealing with other people, but other than that my job hasn’t changed,” Steiner said. – To be honest, the difference is only felt because people recognize you when you appear somewhere.

I didn’t expect it to be like this, but it happened and you just have to get used to it. I think if the fans like something, you should give it to them. Now it’s harder for me to refuse to communicate with them because they approach me because they liked what they saw on the show.

The attention of the audience is a bit stronger when I appear somewhere, so I have to choose where I go. For example, there are restaurants that are not a good idea to go to during race weekends because they won’t leave you alone.

People are naturally attracted, not by what I look like. I say what I think – I think that’s the point. It’s not that I don’t have brakes, but I believe I have the right to say how I think. And we shouldn’t beat around the bush, but say everything straight away. This is my longstanding habit, and I do it whether people like it or not.

I don’t want to offend anyone, I never try to do this and I understand that someone may not like my words. But it’s normal.”

A book of Steiner’s memoirs came out in April and we talked about it. According to the head of the American team, he did not immediately agree to this project, but now he is ready to admit that the idea was not bad: “When I was offered to write a book, I refused. But they explained to me that this should not be an autobiography, but something like a diary.

It was in 2021, and then it seemed to me that it was going to be the most boring book in the world. But I was assured that things would be different, and now I think these people were right.

A professional editor helped me work on the book and he turned out to be a great master. When I read the finished text for the first time while recording an audiobook, I realized that it was of very high quality. The book is intended for true fans of Formula 1, but it can be browsed and just for fun.