Formula One’s American team Haas has taken legal action against their former team principal Guenther Steiner, accusing him of trademark infringements following his departure from the Kannapolis-based outfit.
Steiner, who played a significant role in establishing Haas’ presence in Formula One since 2015, parted ways with the team earlier this year after his contract was not renewed by team owner Gene Haas.
Despite leaving Haas, Steiner remained active in the motorsport community, assuming roles such as ambassador for the Miami Grand Prix and television pundit for German network RTL.
However, tensions between Steiner and Haas have escalated, with Steiner alleging a breach of contract over unpaid commissions and unauthorized use of his name, image, and likeness in promotional materials.
In response, Haas has filed a lawsuit against Steiner, claiming that he unlawfully used images from his book “Surviving to Drive” without permission.
Haas contends that Steiner’s actions have violated their intellectual property rights and have resulted in financial gain for Steiner. The American outfit has requested a trial by jury to address the matter and seek appropriate legal remedies.