Guenther Steiner on Max Verstappen's Title Chances and McLaren's Role

Guenther Steiner has made a notable U-turn on Max Verstappen's 2025 title prospects, now stating that the Red Bull driver is firmly in the championship hunt. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner humorously suggested that McLaren's recent team orders, which he dubbed "papaya rules," could ironically benefit Verstappen.

Why it matters:

Steiner's shift in perspective highlights the unpredictable nature of the current F1 season, where the competitive landscape is constantly evolving. His comments also underscore the increasing scrutiny on team strategies and driver support, particularly within top teams like McLaren.

The Details:

• Verstappen's Prospects: Steiner, who previously dismissed Verstappen's title chances a few races ago, now believes the Dutchman is a strong contender for the 2025 drivers' championship.
• McLaren's 'Help': He jokingly remarked that McLaren could be Verstappen's "best ally" due to their team orders, coining the phrase "The papaya rules are for Max," a playful jab at McLaren's distinctive team colors and Verstappen's orange branding.
• Piastri's Struggles: When questioned about Oscar Piastri's recent dip in performance, especially after a challenging Mexico Grand Prix, Steiner was critical of McLaren's perceived lack of support for the Australian driver.
  • Steiner suggested that Piastri, initially without pressure as the 'number two' driver behind Lando Norris, lost confidence due to team directives that favored Norris. He felt Piastri's 'mojo' was affected by not receiving championship-level support.
  • He pointed to instances like "let him pass" or "let him go" calls as contributing to Piastri's loss of confidence, making it difficult for him to perform, particularly in qualifying.
• Mexico Grand Prix Context: Steiner cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions from the Mexico GP's pecking order due to the high altitude's unique impact on car performance.
  • He argued that Mexico is a "special race course" where teams adapt cooling systems, which can affect downforce differently across cars, making it an unreliable indicator of overall car performance compared to races like Austin.
  • Therefore, it's premature to assume Red Bull's cars are no longer superior to McLaren's based solely on their Mexico performance.

Looking Ahead:

Steiner's observations paint a vivid picture of the intense strategic battles and internal dynamics within F1 teams. While the "papaya rules" comment was made in jest, it reflects a broader conversation about how team management impacts driver performance and championship outcomes. The coming races will reveal whether Verstappen can capitalize on these dynamics and if McLaren can better manage its drivers to maximize their potential.