“We look like a bunch of jerks.”

It’s fair to say that when Guenther Steiner uttered those words early in a season, a star was born drive to surviveJust as the Netflix documentary thrust Formula 1 into the spotlight and helped it gather a new following, it did the same for the Haas F1 team principal.

T-shirts with his likeness and slogan appear on F1 tours around the globe, and the Italian is almost as famous as some of the drivers.

It was perhaps inevitable, then, that he published a book, aptly titled Surviving to Driving: A Year Inside Formula 1. First, and unsurprisingly, readers are advised to be cautious, as there is too much expletive-Trademark Steiner, as well as his sudden outbursts and blunt comments, that made him a star.

All of these aspects feature in abundance throughout the book, which is less an autobiography than a diary in which Steiner documents every weekend of the 2022 F1 season with Haas, as well as any moments during the campaign. Other notable snippets.

It started with the relinquishment of Nikita Mazepin and the team’s Uralkali sponsorship following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and culminated in Kevin Magnussen’s first pole position for the team at the Brazilian Grand Prix – ups and downs.

those who want steiner to behave like him drive to survive The exploits are a treat – with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, witty commentary, and plenty of rants. He is certainly not afraid of being sued for any of his remarks, including against the FIA’s decision to influence Haas and former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher throughout the season.

The German became a critic of Steiner because of the way his nephew Mick was treated by the team, but the Haas boss showed no mercy.

Guenther Steiner has amassed quite a public following – and that’s before the book comes out!

Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures

His honesty is refreshing, as almost anyone working in F1 is usually required to follow the PR route – but not Steiner. While he enjoys criticizing others, he certainly doesn’t blame himself or be a laughing stock.

Infused into Haas’s exploits are moments from Steiner’s life, such as how he first entered motorsport through rallying, then joined Jaguar’s F1 team as three-time F1 champion Niki Lauda, ​​and his success in convincing Gene Haas to Stanley spent time in the US before setting up F1 operations. There are some great stories, from his time in the 1992 Dakar Rally, to him and Lauda being driven to a hotel in Japan by a man who “won an Olympic medal on a hoot”.

It’s not all comedy, though. More serious topics were discussed, such as his thoughts on the need for more inclusion and diversity in F1, and the drive for sustainable development. There’s also a touching section about Haas mechanic Harvey Cook, who died of cancer, to whom Steiner dedicated the book.

If there is a criticism, it is that writing in diary form means that some entries – usually covering what happened in FP1 and FP2 sessions – are of little relevance, although they are kept to a minimum.

When Steiner played his drive to survive The character, obviously, behind the humor is a smart guy who has succeeded in F1, someone who cares passionately about his team while trying to overcome the many blips of an F1 season, all retold in his own unique way.

Like Steiner is unique, there has never been a book like it!

Surviving Driving: A Year in Formula 1 Published by Penguin, available in hardcover, eBook or audiobook.start shopping here.