Former Haas F1 team principal, Guenther Steiner, has claimed a win in one of his legal disputes with his ex-employer.
Earlier this year, the team’s title sponsor, Haas Automation, filed a lawsuit against Steiner, along with the publisher of his 2023 book, Ten Speed Press, for an alleged trademark infringement.
Documents obtained by Mail Sport revealed the company, which is owned by Gene Haas, lodged a complaint in the Central District of California court on May 3, just a few days after Steiner filed his own lawsuit against Haas Formula, LLC over alleged unpaid commissions and unauthorized use of his likeness.
Haas Automation claimed that ‘in 2023, without permission or consent from Haas Automation, Steiner authored, marketed, promoted, sold, distributed, and profited from a publication titled ‘Surviving to Drive,’ which unlawfully used and displayed, and continues to use and display, the Haas Automation Trademarks and the Haas Automation Trade Dress for Steiner’s personal financial gain and illicit profit.’
However, United States District Court Judge André Birotte Jr. dismissed the complaint and stated neither Steiner nor the publisher ‘use the Haas marks as a source-identifying mark’.
Guenther Steiner claimed a huge win in one of his legal battles with his former team Haas
Haas Automation filed a lawsuit against Steiner Ten Speed Press over the publication of his 2023 book
‘Using photos that include the Haas Marks is an artistic choice to provide additional context about the 2022 season with the Haas F1 Team,’ the Judge said.
‘While there’s an argument the photo on the cover implicitly suggests endorsement or sponsorship, there is no explicitly misleading statement or suggestion by way of the Haas marks.’
Haas Automation’s lawyers had estimated that Steiner’s book, Surviving to Drive, raked in at least $4.5m(£3.3m) in revenue from the sale of more than 150,000 copies. The company also alleged that Ten Speed Press never sought or obtained permission to use ‘any of the Haas Automation Trademarks or the Haas Automation Trade Dress.
A second case, which was filed by Steiner in North Carolina a few days after Haas’ complaint, remains.
The 59-year-old claims that Haas not only owes him commissions, but has continued to sell merchandise featuring his likeness without proper compensation despite parting ways with the team during the offseason.
‘Surviving to Drive’ features several images of Steiner throughout his decade-long Haas tenure
The lawsuit filed by the former F1 team boss, made just a few days before Haas sued him, remains ongoing
The Drive to Survive breakout star served as Haas’ team principal from 2014, until the two parties mutually decided not to renew his contract at the beginning of the year.
In the months since, he has continued to be a visible figure in the paddock, serving as a Miami Grand Prix ambassador and working as a broadcaster for German channel RTL and Australia’s Network 10.