Günter Steiner no longer works in Formula 1, but it can be said that the former Haas team manager still works for Formula 1, as he enjoys giving interviews and, among other things, participating in various podcasts dedicated to the World Championship.
In particular, Steiner was recently a guest on the American project The Red Flags, where the conversation covered many topics, starting with the recent Monaco Grand Prix.
“Monaco is one of those places you want to go, but once you get there you don’t like it,” he said. – It’s not easy to explain. If you are a Formula 1 fan you want to go there because it is cool, there is always a lot happening there that you want to see. But if you come to Monaco for the 4th or 5th time, little changes from year to year.
It’s quite uncomfortable there because you can’t go anywhere, there are crowds of people everywhere and there is very little space. I don’t want to criticize anything, but from my point of view the Monaco race takes place on Saturday and not on Sunday. This was the case this year, although this circuit obviously occupies a very important place in the history of Formula 1.
Some people think that when team leaders come to Monaco they do nothing but hang out with all kinds of celebrities, although in reality that doesn’t happen because you have to work hard from morning to night. Maybe you can manage to go out for dinner somewhere in the evening.
In addition, it is often thought that some major contracts are signed in Monaco, but personally I have not signed any contracts there, because people there are usually too tipsy to conduct business negotiations. Although it’s always interesting to board luxury yachts, and I’ve been to these floating palaces.’
Steiner also discussed how to modernize the city circuit in the Mediterranean principality, which has not changed much in the 95 years of car racing:
“We need to make the ring a kilometer and a half longer if the organizers of the Monaco Grand Prix want to save this race. They are building houses and villas there on the territory reclaimed from the sea! For example, think of what they did in Abu Dhabi (the entire artificial island of Yas was built there, on which many things were built, including the Yas Marina circuit).
As for the race, especially for the Monaco stage, it is necessary to change the regulations, introduce two mandatory pit stops and use only the softest tires. Or not counting a pit stop if everyone returns to the pits in the first laps because the race was stopped by red flags. Overall, I think something can be done to improve the situation one way or another.”
Naturally, Steiner was asked whether Red Bull Racing’s recent results, especially in Monaco, could be considered signs of some kind of decline?
“I wouldn’t call it a decline caused by Red Bull,” he said. – I think other teams have improved significantly. I don’t think Red Bull is getting worse or slower. And now, when their opponents have challenged them, the champion team must take more risks, and in this case it will make more and more mistakes. The situation is escalating and Red Bull’s dominance is coming to an end.”
Steiner’s comments about James Vowles’ words that Williams was negotiating with Adrian Newey sounded curious in their own way: “These are not rumors, this was said by the team leader, and the press only repeated his words, because this is the task is from the press. Of course, I don’t know to what extent Vowles meant it when he said this, but I believe he was being wishful thinking in this case.
Of course, he constantly communicates with different people. But before you say anything, get some more certainty and stop throwing around names like that. Although of course I don’t know Newey’s intentions – maybe he really wants to go to Williams.
But I think Adrian now has a very wide range of options. He can choose who he works with. Although I don’t know why he should work with Williams. However, it’s possible this team can offer him something others can’t. Maybe it’s a 50% stake in Williams? Do not know.
Fred Wasser and Toto Wolff are also negotiating with different people – with sponsors, with representatives of big companies, but they don’t want to make it public because if nothing comes of it, they will look stupid.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
