Verstappen's Teammate Defends Him After Steiner Criticism Over F1 Rules Stance

Max Verstappen's outspoken criticism of F1's 2026 regulations has drawn a sharp response from former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner — but his Nürburgring 24 Hours teammate Dani Juncadella has stepped in to defend the Dutchman.

After scoring his and Red Bull's first podium of the season in Canada, Verstappen again insisted the rules need changing, comparing them to Formula E and Mario Kart. Steiner, speaking on the Red Flags podcast, countered that Verstappen would be "very happy" if he were winning — implying the criticism is driven by frustration rather than genuine concern.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's consistent warnings — dating back to the Barcelona shakedown in January — have reignited debate over the direction of Formula 1. The four-time champion has hinted he would leave the sport if changes aren't made for 2027. His voice carries weight as the sport's top driver, and the tension between his views and those of established figures like Steiner illustrates a growing divide over the new power unit era.

Between the lines:

• Juncadella responded on social media, taking a pointed shot at Steiner's current role as head of the consortium that took over the Tech 3 MotoGP team. His post read: "The man has been warning everyone about the new rules since 2023, but the head of the consortium that took over the Tech 3 MotoGP team knows better.👍🏼"
• Steiner had argued that Verstappen's post-race comments — where he said he still doesn't like the regulations — were "politics" aimed at changing the engine rules.
• Verstappen's stance has been consistent even before the season started. He first voiced concerns about the 2026 power units during pre-season testing and has not softened his position despite Red Bull's improving form.

The big picture:

Verstappen's threat to leave F1 if the regulations don't evolve by 2027 puts pressure on the FIA and FOM. While Red Bull has struggled early this season, the Canadian podium shows the RB22 is becoming more competitive. Yet Verstappen's discontent appears deeper than on-track results. If the sport's biggest star follows through on his warning, the 2026 regulation cycle could face a major credibility crisis — and Steiner's dismissive comments may only strengthen Verstappen's resolve.