Last year, Guenther Steiner published his book, “Surviving to Drive” which took readers behind the scenes of the Haas F1 Team. Before the start of this season, Steiner was fired from the team as the owner, Gene Haas was not very happy with the team’s performance. But the drama did not stop there.
Just a few months back, the Haas F1 Team filed a lawsuit against Guenther Steiner for alleged copyright infringements in his book. Haas claimed that Steiner was not authorized to use the team’s images in his book. Haas filed the lawsuit in the United States, and now, the courts have given their verdict.
Steiner escapes lawsuit from Haas F1 Team
The US courts have decided to dismiss the case entirely. Here’s what the court documents stated in the verdict.
“The Book recounts Steiner’s experiences as team principal of the Haas F1 Team during the 2022 season,” the court documents stated.
“Using photos that include the Haas marks is an artistic choice to provide additional context about the 2022 season with the Haas F1 Team. Here, there is no explicit indication, overt claim, or explicit misstatement that the ‘source of the work’ is Haas Automation.
⚠️ | Dutch Journalist Jack Plooij on what happened between Günther Steiner and Haas:
“Günther and I spoke at the beginning of the week, but we weren’t allowed to ask how it actually went with Haas and what he would do. But then he sent me a message, allowing me to tell what… pic.twitter.com/gdsJRcloA3
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) February 24, 2024
“While there’s an argument the photo on the cover implicitly suggests endorsement or sponsorship, there is no explicitly misleading statement or suggestion by way of the Haas marks.
“Accordingly, defendants’ use here of the Haas marks is protected under Rogers. Defendants’ motion is therefore granted.”
Haas alleged that Steiner used the team’s branding and imagery, including logos, without expressed legal permission. Steiner argued that all content used fell under fair use, did not breach copyright laws and was protected by the Fifth Amendment. The judge took Steiner’s side and threw out the case. End of story.
What is Guenther Steiner doing now?
When Guenther Steiner was fired from F1, there was a sense of shock around the F1 community. However, it did not last long as it was soon overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari.
After his departure from the team, Steiner is now an F1 Pundit appearing in select F1 races to conduct interviews with the drivers and team principals. He also serves as the brand ambassador for the Miami Grand Prix.
American TV network CBS is planning a workplace-based comedy show with Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner.
CBS is reportedly in the ‘early stages of developing a single-camera workplace comedy’ with Steiner, who will be a non-writing executive producer of the show.… pic.twitter.com/bAEfvbBpBt
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) November 22, 2023
Steiner does make a few appearances in F1 podcasts from time to time. There is no doubt that he continues to be one of the most popular and loved personalities in F1.
Steiner currently resides in North Carolina, United States, with his wife and daughter. It looks as though he has settled there and is not planning to come back working full-time for one of the F1 teams. He is more than happy freelancing for certain channels as it gives him more time to spend with his family.
