Guenther Steiner Accuses Max Verstappen Of Hypocrisy Over 2026 F1 Regulation Criticism

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has been publicly called out by a former team principal over his criticism of the 2026 regulations.
New chassis and power unit rules were introduced ahead of this year’s campaign, dramatically reshaping the sport’s competitive order.
Red Bull and Verstappen have struggled significantly during the transition, with the Dutchman even said to be “seriously considering” retirement from the sport.
During last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, the 28-year-old confirmed he would remain on the grid in 2027, though he stopped short of confirming his future with Red Bull.
Verstappen did enjoy a brighter weekend on track, claiming his first podium of the 2026 season by finishing third at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Despite his best result of the season, Verstappen still voiced frustration with the regulations, saying: “For me, F1 just needs to be more pure. I really hope what they try to do next year will go through.”
Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, speaking on the Red Flags podcast, suggested the champion’s regulation complaints lack genuine conviction.
Steiner, who was sacked from his team principal role in 2024 and now serves as CEO of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team, said: “Max Verstappen was a little bit happier because he was on the podium. I guess if he would have won, he would be really happy, and it would be the best regs ever. That’s just to clarify where we stand there emotionally with Max on the regs.”
The 61-year-old went further, suggesting Verstappen’s criticism forms part of a wider push to alter the power unit rules, stating: “Afterwards, he had to come out with this one because there is this debate, should they go 60/40? And some of the teams don’t want to go 60/40 because they think if ADUO comes in, they can catch up to Mercedes and if they free up the rules again to do a new engine, they cannot catch them.”
Steiner added: “So I don’t know who is standing exactly where with the rules, but obviously the people with ADUO they are more for staying with what they’ve got.”
Turning his attention specifically to Red Bull’s motivations, Steiner continued: “I think they want to change, they want a new engine…So obviously Max after the race had to go out there and say I still don’t really like them [2026 regs] even if I like them a little bit, but I still want to change the regs.”
The former team boss concluded that Verstappen’s public statements are driven by internal politics, saying: “That is how his politics are playing to change the engine regs…it’s all about making Max happy in Formula 1.”
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