The current Haas F1 team principal worked alongside the late Brit when he was in Ford M-Sport in 1999-2000.
Here Steiner held the position of technical director, having entered the world of motorsport as a rally mechanic for the Mazda team in 1986, before moving to Jolly Club Lancia (1991-1996) and Prodrive in 1997.
Working alongside McRae and Carlos Sainz at M-Sport was Steiner’s latest WRC engagement, before moving to F1 with Jaguar in 2001 and then to Red Bull (2005-2008), and now to Haas since 2014.
The South Tyrolean in the official WRC podcast published this week defined the Scot, who died in a helicopter crash in 2007, as one of the most naturally talented pilots he has ever seen.
“I got along very well with Colin, at the time I think everyone wanted that. Of course there was money and being a Scotsman it was important to Colin, but it wasn’t everything and I think Malcolm (Wilson, head of M-Sport ) was able to convince him about the future. Malcolm was a driver himself, so he was able to explain to Colin what ideas he had, which is why he signed with Ford, “says Steiner.
“Colin was the man of the moment and I think there will never be anyone like him again. I mean, there is always someone, but I haven’t seen anyone with the sheer talent that Colin had at the time.”
For him everything was natural, he didn’t have to force himself to drive a fast car, he was just strong and that was it. You can say what you want, but he could drive fast. I think he was the most gifted driver he has ever met. “
“He was very good at giving directions. If something didn’t work, he was very good at telling you and directing.”
Colin McRae, Subaru Impreza 555
Photo by: WRC.com
For Colin everything was natural: either it worked, or it didn’t, then the rest was your problem. “
“Carlos went into detail, while for Colin it was yes or no, there was nothing in between. It was black or white. If the test was good, it was very pleasant if he was there, but if it went wrong it was the least fun. what I could do, because he got angry and thought he was wasting his time. “
Although McRae has had a career based primarily on rallying, the WRC world champion was approached by F1 thanks to an experience with the Jordan team at Silverstone in 1996.
Steiner was asked if he could consider going back to his rally roots in the future.
“Never say never. I have said it before, I never had in mind to become F1 team principal, but I got there and worked my way up, so I don’t know what awaits me. I never say anything, anything can happen “, replies the South Tyrolean.
“For me, if there is a challenge or an opportunity, I take it. If there is something that I find interesting, it can be anything. I am not saying that I will go back to rallies or that I will not. I don’t know.”
Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
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