Guenther Steiner rules out Ferrari team boss role as he prepares for new MotoGP venture
Guenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, is preparing to make a surprising return to motorsport – not in Formula 1, but in MotoGP. The Italian motorsport figure, who has been away from the Formula 1 paddock since his departure from Haas in January 2024, recently shared his views on the possibility of returning to the grid in the future, including whether he would ever take on one of the sport’s most prestigious roles: team principal of Ferrari.
Steiner is a familiar face in Formula 1, having built Haas from the ground up into a full-time constructor after their debut season a decade ago. Known for his outspoken nature and appearances on Drive to Survive, the 60-year-old has spent much of his career in top-level motorsport. His journey began as a mechanic in the World Rally Championship before switching to Formula 1 in 2001, when Niki Lauda recommended him for the team principal position at Jaguar Racing. Since then, Steiner has become one of the most recognisable personalities in the paddock.
Why Guenther Steiner doesn’t see himself replacing Fred Vasseur at Ferrari
Ferrari have been under the leadership of Fred Vasseur since 2023, when he replaced Mattia Binotto. Despite his efforts, the legendary Italian team is enduring the longest championship drought in its history. The 2025 Formula 1 season has done little to change that narrative, with Ferrari dropping to third in the constructors’ standings after Mercedes overtook them at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton currently occupy only fifth and sixth place in the drivers’ championship, leaving fans and shareholders frustrated.
Given Steiner’s Italian background and extensive Formula 1 experience, he was recently asked if he would be interested in taking charge at Maranello. His response was clear: he does not believe stepping into Fred Vasseur’s role under the current conditions would be worthwhile. Steiner explained that Ferrari’s existing challenges would not disappear simply with a change of leadership, and he doubted he could achieve more success with the same resources and structure. He also emphasized his respect for Fred Vasseur, describing him as a friend who is working hard to turn things around. Instead, Steiner suggested that only with a completely new environment, different strategies, and a redefined approach could such a job even be considered. For now, he insisted that Ferrari are not seeking him, and he has no ambition to push for the position.
Fred Vasseur’s future had been the subject of speculation earlier in the year, but Ferrari extended his contract in July, confirming he will continue to lead the Scuderia into the new era of regulations arriving in 2026. Despite a lack of recent race victories, Ferrari’s leadership has chosen stability, hoping that continuity will eventually pay off as the team rebuilds towards championship contention.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP: Steiner’s surprising next chapter
While Steiner is ruling himself out of a Ferrari future, he is not stepping away from motorsport altogether. In September, it was confirmed that he and his business partner Richard Coleman had completed the acquisition of the Tech3 MotoGP team. Starting from next season, Steiner is expected to become CEO of the outfit, with Coleman taking on team principal duties from long-time founder Herve Poncharal. This move marks a significant shift in Steiner’s career, swapping Formula 1’s four wheels for MotoGP’s two-wheeled battles.
The reaction within the MotoGP fanbase has been mixed. Tech3, which has not celebrated a race win in the premier motorcycle class since 2020, is already under pressure, and some supporters fear Steiner’s involvement could bring further difficulties rather than success. Nevertheless, Steiner’s managerial experience and reputation for building competitive structures from the ground up could provide the team with a new direction in a sport that continues to expand its global audience.
Formula 1 stars eyeing MotoGP opportunities
Interestingly, Steiner is not the only Formula 1 personality linked with MotoGP. Reports have suggested that reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton are both considering investing in motorcycle racing. The Briton, in particular, has long expressed his love for two wheels. In 2019, he famously swapped machinery with Valentino Rossi during a secret test, where he impressed engineers by lapping within four seconds of the MotoGP professionals. His performance that day underscored how seriously he views motorcycle racing and fuelled speculation that he could one day play a bigger role in the series.
For Steiner, however, the focus is immediate. As he prepares to transition into MotoGP management, his comments about Ferrari underline his pragmatic approach: while he remains deeply connected to Formula 1, he is realistic about what roles he could succeed in. His new challenge in MotoGP may prove just as defining as his years shaping Haas in Formula 1, marking the beginning of an entirely new chapter in his motorsport journey.
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