Formula 1: Haas boss Steiner reveals the biggest problem of Schumacher’s successor Hülkenberg

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In an interview with watson, Günther Steiner speaks openly about his role in the Netflix series “Drive to survive”, explains how Formula 1 is becoming more popular again in Germany and what he would change about Nico Hülkenberg.

Watson: Mr. Steiner, the fifth season of the Formula 1 documentary series “Drive to survive”, which has been acclaimed by motorsport fans, will be released on Netflix today. Are you looking at this too?

Gunther Steiner: I’m not going to watch it, just like the seasons before. I know roughly what’s in it and was there when it was filmed. (laughs)

What are the reactions from those around you?

It is always very exciting when the first comments and questions come. Then I always have to think about where and when that actually was. There’s taunting from time to time, but it’s not the first time, so I’m used to it.

You have become enormously popular with fans thanks to your open nature. Also because they swear so often and authentically.

(laughing out loud) Do I swear so often?

More often than other team bosses.

But seriously, it’s part of my character. You will never hear me swear in an interview or on a live broadcast. But when I’m in my inner circle, I use language that I don’t normally use. That just happens in a race or a heated debate.

In an interview with the “Mirror” criticized the documentary series. He said most teams were annoyed by it. They even had the camera crew at their home in North Carolina.

I put on a mic, it lasts maybe fifteen seconds, and then I do my work. The film team takes care of the rest. Many teams say they put a lot of work into it and are getting nothing out. It’s not a big job for me. Of course there are moments when you’re not in a good mood or in a bad mood and then someone comes with the microphone, but I’m not annoyed by it.

The series primarily aims to get a young audience enthusiastic about Formula 1 and was particularly successful in doing so abroad. In German-speaking countries, however, interest in Formula 1 is declining.

Absolutely. When it was on free television, four to six million people tuned in to the races. I think we’re close to a million now.

What are the reasons for that?

The main reason for this is pay TV and people don’t want to spend money on it, but that’s something everyone has to decide for themselves. It’s difficult to sell when you’ve been able to watch it for free for so long. But I think it just takes time to change the culture. In England, too, it took a few years for it to become established.

Do you think that something will change with the entry of Audi in 2026?

I am absolutely sure of that. Although you have Mercedes and this year Nico Hulkenberg, last year we had Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher. There is actually enough German presence there. Interest has just dwindled a bit because people aren’t ready to put their hands on the money yet.

Nico Hülkenberg (left) and Günther Steiner at a media event. Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images

In the past year and in recent months, they have repeatedly had to answer questions about Mick Schumacher. Does that annoy you?

No, I get that. The surname is just big enough to be confronted with. And it doesn’t bother me because I can explain why Mick isn’t with us anymore. Like everything in life, it will eventually come to an end when he has a new cockpit. He’s in a good position at Mercedes now and can step in if there’s a vacancy somewhere. I hope he succeeds.

Instead of going with Mick Schumacher, you are starting the season with Nico Hülkenberg as the German driver. You’ve known each other for a long time, but what idiosyncrasy do you still have to break from him over the course of the season?

It’s too big and too heavy (laughs). But I can’t change that. He’s already worked a lot on his fitness, but he’s just big. That’s not ideal in a Formula 1 car. I can’t just cut off his legs either…or at least I shouldn’t. (laughs).

At the presentation of the car, he appeared very well trained and fit.

He was very diligent and trained all winter. Only the necessary neck muscles can only be trained really intensively in the car and you have to drive races to do so. He will need time at the beginning, but he is on a good level in terms of fitness.

He wasn’t a regular driver for three years and was a substitute driver twice last season. How long will it take him to get his rhythm back?

I hope and believe that he’ll be back in Formula 1’s everyday rhythm pretty quickly. He was in action last season, he did tests for us last year and will now drive three days in Bahrain. He doesn’t have to learn anything more, just get into the rhythm, because he’s a very good Formula 1 driver.

Since Thursday you and the other teams can complete three days of tests in Bahrain. How meaningful will these be?

We’ll see where the teams are. It will be even more difficult this year as the cars are even closer together. You can research and read a lot, but we won’t see the final result until next Saturday’s qualifying, because that’s when everyone drops their pants.

Two years ago, in Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, you placed your trust in two young, inexperienced drivers. With Nico Hülkenberg (35) and Kevin Magnussen (30), you now have the oldest driver duo. It seems like a change of course in the team.

That’s correct. In 2018 we had the greatest success with the duo Kevin Magnussen and Roman Grosjean, two experienced drivers. We’re still a young team, but we’re already in our eighth season. 2021 in particular left its mark, nothing really went forward, but rather backwards. And experienced drivers just give you that certain boost.

Is that why you separated from Schumacher?

Exactly. We wanted to accelerate our development and that works best with experienced drivers. That was also the reason why we broke up with Mick. He just didn’t have that experience yet. It’s not his fault, of course, he’s just very young.

How does the coming season have to go for it to be a success?

If we’re better than last year. It sounds too easy, but that’s the goal. We have to get better as a team and we have to move forward in the Constructors’ Championship. Therefore: sixth or seventh is the goal.