Former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner has initiated legal proceedings against his previous team, alleging unpaid earnings and the unauthorized use of his personal image.
According to a report from Autosport, Guenther Steiner, the former principal of the Haas F1 Team, has taken legal action against the American outfit. The lawsuit, filed in the local court of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, details a series of allegations including unpaid commissions and breach of terms in Steiner's employment agreement, spanning from 2021 to 2023.
Steiner's decision to sue his former employer centers primarily on financial disagreements and the misuse of his image. According to legal documents, Steiner has accused Haas of failing to pay amounts due under the terms of his employment contract. The case highlights a deeper contention surrounding the unauthorized commercial use of his likeness, particularly leveraging his popularity surge from the Netflix series 'Drive to Survive'.
"Haas F1 chose not to renew Mr. Steiner's Employment Agreement. This was its right. But Haas F1 has done what it has no right to do and refused to pay Mr. Steiner [amount redacted] owed under his Employment Agreement," the filings state, as quoted in the same Autosport report.
Further exacerbating the issue is Haas F1's alleged continuance to profit from Steiner's image and reputation without appropriate compensation, post his tenure with the team. The claim points to Haas using his persona to bolster the team's profile and attract revenue streams, critical in the financially intensive sphere of Formula 1 racing.
"After years of accepting the benefits of Mr. Steiner's reputation, experience, and deep connections within the sport, Haas F1 cannot withhold from Mr. Steiner the benefits he has earned," the document continues.
Steiner's legal team argues that his significant contribution to enhancing the team's visibility and marketability through media exposure was invaluable, particularly as the team navigated the costly terrain of Formula 1.
"Haas F1 was frequently featured in the series, and Mr. Steiner's presence in the show drove more and more fans to Haas F1.
"This exposure was extremely valuable to the upstart racing team, particularly as it looked for additional revenue streams to support itself in the notoriously expensive Formula 1 environment," according to court papers.
Moreover, the filings shed light on a crucial aspect of Steiner's claim: "Haas F1 has no right to use Mr. Steiner's name, image, and likeness or to exploit them in any form of media after the termination of his employment. Haas F1 has not compensated Mr. Steiner for its unauthorized use of his name, image, and likeness."
Last year, Haas F1 chose not to renew Steiner's contract, instead giving the role to Ayao Komatsu. But it looks as though the business between the team and the popular Italian-American hasn't come to an end yet.
Uncommon Knowledge
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