Honda's full return to F1 was confirmed on Wednesday as it announced a deal with Aston Martin in time for the impending new 2026 power unit regulations - which will feature a higher-output MGU-K and fully sustainable fuels, and the removal of the costly MGU-H.
This has increased the number of powertrain suppliers on the grid to six, as Audi also join as a works partner to Sauber and Red Bull links up with Ford for the new rules.
But Steiner reckons that the greater proliferation of works entities will not dilute the success that a customer team can achieve, and that Haas did not feel the need to try to attract works manufacturer support.
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"I wouldn't say you need to [become a works team], I mean, you need to look into where you want to be in five to 10 years," he said.
"I think we are all in the moment overthinking what is coming in '26. I think there will be solutions to it, because not everybody can have a works team.
"It looks like for '26, there's only six engine manufacturers. So four teams will need to take a customer engine. We will be one of them for '26.
"But, looking forward, we need to see how Formula 1 is going, because - and I don't want to sound negative - but manufacturers come and go, and teams stay, so we need to think that as well.
"It could be also maybe teams are happy not to be a manufacturer in five years. So let's see what time brings. But, at the moment, I think we are ready for '26. We've got the customer engine and make the best out of it."
Source: Autosport