Guenther Steiner is an Italian-American motorsport engineer and former team manager.
He was the Team Principal of Haas Formula One Team from 2016 to 2023 and managed Jaguar Racing from 2001 to 2003.
Steiner is known for his colorful outbursts on Netflix’s Drive to Survive and his role in forming the Haas F1 Team.
He left Haas in January 2024 and is now a pundit for RTL, a German TV channel, and an ambassador for the Miami Grand Prix.
Steiner has also launched a legal action against Haas F1 Team, alleging unpaid commissions and unauthorized use of his likeness.
Net worth
Steiner’s net worth is estimated to be around $6 million.
The majority of his net worth comes from his lucrative $1 million per year salary as the Team Principal of the Haas F1 Team from 2016 to 2023.
He also owns a composite parts company called Fibreworks Composites that he founded in 2009, which likely contributes to his net worth.
Steiner is also believed to own several properties in North Carolina, where he resides with his family.
His appearances and popularity from the Netflix series, Drive to Survive, have also likely added to his overall net worth through endorsements and other opportunities.
Before Formula One
Before entering Formula 1, Steiner had an extensive career in motorsports, primarily in rallying.
From 1986 to 1988, he worked as a mechanic in the World Rally Championship for Mazda Rally Team Europe. From 1989 to 1990, he was the assistant team manager for Top Run Srl.
From 1991 to 1996, he acted as head of reconnaissance and later as a technical manager at Jolly Club.
In 1997, Steiner managed Prodrive’s Allstar Rally team, winning the European Rally Championship with Krzysztof Hołowczyc.
In 1998, M-Sport recruited him as project manager.
In 2000, he was promoted to director of engineering, where he worked under the Ford World Rally Team alongside drivers Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz, securing consecutive runner-up finishes in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
So Steiner spent over 15 years working his way up in the rally world, gaining experience as a mechanic, team manager, head of reconnaissance, technical manager and director of engineering before getting his big break in Formula 1.
Formula One career
Steiner’s Formula One career began in 2001 as the managing director of Jaguar Racing.
He helped reorganize the team and reduce costs, but only stayed for one season.
He then moved to Red Bull Racing as technical operations director, where he played a key role in the team’s transition from Jaguar.
Steiner left Red Bull in 2008 to start his own composite parts company, Fibreworks Composites, in the United States.
In 2014, he was recruited by Gene Haas to lead the Haas F1 Team as team principal, which debuted in the 2016 season.
Steiner managed the team until January 2024, when his contract was not renewed.
He then joined RTL, a German television channel, as a specialist commentator for the 2024 season.
Guenther Steiner’s lawsuit against Haas F1 Team
Steiner alleges that Haas F1 Team failed to pay him commissions from 2021 to 2023 as per his final employment agreement.
The commissions were reportedly tied to the team’s performance and revenue during those years.
Steiner claims he is owed a significant amount of money in unpaid commissions from the team.
Unauthorized Use of Likeness
The lawsuit also alleges that the Haas F1 Team used Steiner’s likeness without authorization in various promotional materials and merchandise.
This includes the use of his image, name and quotes in items like t-shirts, hats, posters and other branded products.
Steiner claims the team profited from the unauthorized use of his likeness.
The lawsuit argues that by denying Steiner his contractual commissions and using his likeness without permission, Haas F1 Team breached the terms of his final employment agreement.
Steiner is seeking damages for the alleged breach of contract by the team.
The lawsuit was filed shortly after Steiner left his position as Team Principal of Haas F1 in January 2024.
The team has not publicly commented on the specific allegations made in the lawsuit.
Personal life
Steiner is married to Gertraud Steiner, a fashion designer. They have one daughter named Greta.
The family resides in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Gertraud has a net worth estimated between $1-3 million and has been featured providing insights into Guenther’s job in the Netflix series, Drive to Survive.
Greta has made brief appearances in the same series alongside her father. The Steiner family prefers to keep their personal life private.
Real estate
Steiner owns a waterfront home in Mooresville, South Carolina, which he purchased for $1.825 million and is now valued between $4-5 million.
This property is one of several he owns in North Carolina.
Additionally, Steiner is known to reside in Mooresville, where he founded his company, Fibreworks Composites, in 2009.
His real estate holdings and properties in North Carolina, including his residence, have been featured in Drive to Survive, showcasing his lifestyle and family interactions.
