Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner slammed Aston Martin’s performance at the Barcelona‑Catalunya GP, calling it “not acceptable” after the team struggled for pace and triggered a late‑race virtual safety car.
Critic’s Verdict on Barcelona GP
During an interview on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner launched into a scathing assessment, citing Aston Martin’s failure to challenge rivals and noting that passenger cars like Cadillac still finished six laps ahead. He added that the team’s performance no longer met “F1 standards,” comparing the cars to “the local guy” who ends last by a mile.
Steiner’s Focus on Aston Martin’s Pace
Steiner said the team’s inability to maintain front‑row speed, coupled with a late‑event virtual safety car triggered by Alonso’s retirement, scrolled them to the back of the field. He emphasised that this was a stark contrast to Durham’s last‑minute VSC, illustrating a consistent lack of competitiveness.
Regarding governance, Steiner declared that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has no authority to dictate a team’s race strategy or penance, stating that “Stefano can do nothing about it.” He pointed to owner Lawrence Stroll as the ultimate decision‑maker, labelling Stroll as “not proud” of the current results yet recognising that Stroll has invested heavily in the team’s fixtures.
He also noted the constructors’ standings, with Aston Martin sitting 10th with a lone point, edging Cadillac by the slimmest margin.
Ownership, Authority, and Future Outlook
Steiner mused that, in Formula 1, “there is no relegation rule in the regulations,” implying that persistent underperformance will frustrate enthusiasts despite the lack of formal punishment. He concluded that the buck stops with Stroll, highlighting a clear line of responsibility while also casting doubt on the team’s current trajectory.
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