Haas made a shock announcement on Wednesda🃏y evening that Steiner - who had been their team principal since their first race in F1 back in 2016 - would be rep🔥laced by Ayao Komatsu.

It marks a new era for Haas, who finished bottom of the constructors’ championship in F1 2023.

Steiner was well-liked, particularly due to his prominent role in the Netflix documentary ‘Drive to Survive’, combined with hi⭕s outﷺspoken, combative nature.

• Why Haas preferred in-house Steiner rep⛄lacement over Binotto-esque signing

Howe🔯ver, in raw performance terms, Haas’ results have slipped in recent years.

Afte🔜r finishing a re꧃markable fifth in 2018, they haven’t finished higher than eighth in the subsequent five seasons.

Their reliance on Ferrari, combined ♋with their lack of investment, has meant they have slipped behind some of their midfield rivals.

Brundle gave his assessment of the news on social media, makiꦯng reference to th🌳e team’s press release.

• ‘No reason why we are 10th’ - Haas reveals 🅺truth behind Steiner’s shock exit 

“Always significant when the departing person is not quoted in the press release, tells you there’s friction, suspect we’ll hear more about this,” Brund🧸le said.

“The team hasn’t progressed in recent seasons, but hard to know exactly why without being on the inside. Good luck G🥃uenther. And Haas.”