Steiner blasts Verstappen over regulation complaints

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has dismissed Max Verstappen's harsh criticism of Formula 1's new 2026 regulations, attributing the reigning champion's complaints to Red Bull's early-season struggles rather than the rules themselves. Verstappen, who has scored just eight points in two races, has called the cars "Formula E on steroids," but Steiner argues the performance gap is a team issue, not a regulatory one.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's voice carries immense weight in the F1 paddock, and his persistent public criticism risks undermining confidence in the sport's new technical direction during a crucial introductory phase. Steiner's rebuttal highlights the classic tension between a dominant driver facing adversity and the broader necessity for technical evolution in the sport. The exchange also puts a spotlight on the significant challenge Red Bull faces with its new in-house Ford power unit, a key variable in the team's unexpected drop in form.

The details:

• Steiner directly challenged Verstappen's blame of the regulations for his Chinese GP retirement, stating, "It’s not the fault of the regulations, that’s the fault of the team if the car cannot start."
• He pointed to the parallel issues faced by McLaren (two DNSs) and others as evidence of early-season reliability teething problems rather than a fundamental flaw with the new rules package.
• The core of Steiner's argument is that Verstappen is "not happy because the car is not where he likes it to be," adding bluntly that the champion "always throws the toys out of the pram when it doesn’t go his way."
• He identified Red Bull's new Ford power unit as a major factor, calling it "advanced technology" that takes time for engineers to optimize, while praising the progress of new manufacturers like Ford and Audi.
• Contrary to driver complaints about energy management and overtaking, Steiner defended the quality of the racing produced so far under the new rules, stating, "The racing was good, and that’s the most important thing."

What's next:

The debate is likely to continue as teams develop their 2026 cars. Steiner predicts performance will "improve after a little bit of time" as engineers fully understand the new technology. All eyes will be on whether Red Bull can quickly solve its power unit and reliability issues to bring Verstappen back to the front, which would be the most effective way to quiet his criticisms. The coming races will test if the current racing spectacle can win over skeptical drivers and fans, validating the regulatory shift.