Steiner laughs off FIA president prospect: 'The current president is staying there forever'

Before becoming widely associated with Haas, Steiner had already spent years working at senior level in Formula 1. Between 2001 and 2003, he was Managing Director of Jaguar Racing, while his next spell in the championship saw him take responsibility for technical operations at Red Bull Racing from 2005 to 2006.

A new phase of his career began in 2014, when Steiner helped lay the foundations for Haas’ Formula 1 programme. He subsequently guided the American operation as team principal until the end of 2023. His career then took him beyond the F1 paddock, with Steiner entering MotoGP in 2026 as both CEO and co-owner of Tech3.

Could another Formula 1 comeback now follow in yet another capacity, this time as FIA president? Steiner has categorically ruled it out. Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, Steiner firmly dismissed the prospect of becoming FIA president, joking that the current president appears likely to remain in the position forever.

He added that he is perfectly happy not to pursue the role and does not believe he would make a good FIA president: "I think the current president is staying there forever, so I haven't got a chance, even if I want to. And I'm pretty happy not to be the next FIA president. I don't think I would make a good FIA president."

Steiner has made it clear that a return to Formula 1 would only appeal to him under the right circumstances, with simply securing another position in the paddock not enough to convince him to come back. The former Haas team principal explained that he already has several other interests and would therefore need to find a project capable of offering the level of excitement and challenge he is looking for.

Reflecting on the direction his career has taken over the past 10, 15 and even 20 years, Steiner pointed out that his work has largely revolved around projects rather than conventional jobs. That distinction remains important when considering his future, as he is more interested in an opportunity that would allow him to become directly involved in shaping and developing something himself.

For Steiner, the nature of the challenge would therefore be more important than simply returning to Formula 1 or securing a particular position. He stressed that job titles carry little significance for him, with his interest instead centred on finding a project where he could have the freedom to influence its direction. Without that opportunity to build and shape something, a straightforward return to a traditional role would not provide enough excitement to attract him back.