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Guenther Steiner is under the impression that Max Verstappen is vocalising his frustrations over the new regulations because of Red Bull’s lack of competitiveness so far this year, echoing Toto Wolff’s post-Chinese Grand Prix verdict on the Dutchman’s ire.
If the first 44 laps of the Chinese Grand Prix weren’t enough to raise Max Verstappen’s blood pressure, the radio call to retire his Red Bull RB22 on lap 45 certainly did.
The four-time world champion has been a leading figure on the F1 grid in criticising the sport’s new regulatory era, and his scathing critique continued in the media pen following the Grand Prix in Shanghai.
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Journalists saw Verstappen looking the most solemn he’s ever looked in the media pen after the chequered flag, as he launched another attack on the 2026 F1 regulations by comparing them to Mario Kart.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also had his say on the Red Bull star’s criticisms. After watching his F1 team secure a second consecutive one-two, Wolff theorised that the RB22’s pace deficit has only compounded Verstappen’s public ire.
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Guenther Steiner thinks Max Verstappen would be less vocal if Red Bull were winning
During an appearance on TalkSPORT following the conclusion of the Chinese Grand Prix race weekend, former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner was asked for his thoughts on Verstappen’s critique of the new regulations.
On the topic of whether Verstappen often voices his frustrations when Red Bull aren’t at the peak of their competitiveness, the Italian executive replied, “Yeah, absolutely. But that is not the fault of the regulations. That’s the fault of the team.
“If a car cannot start, like the two McLarens not starting, you cannot blame the regulations because most of the other cars started. Max is not happy because his car is not where he likes it to be, but we need to be fair because Red Bull made their own power unit for the first time.
“It’s such an advanced technology, so it takes some time for the engineers to get used to it. I’m actually surprised how good the new engine manufacturers like Red Bull-Ford and Audi are.”
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Steiner then predicted that Verstappen would be a lot less vocal if Red Bull were able to develop the RB22 in a direction that would see the Dutchman winning races again.
He added, “At the moment I think Mercedes have got a little bit of an edge on the other teams but you can see the Ferraris are there again and I’m sure that McLaren comes back.
“McLaren is a good team, and also Red Bull, they will come back. Then all of a sudden we will have Max being a lot more quiet about the new regulations if he can find success again.”
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F1 fans are growing tired of Max Verstappen’s critiques
Funnily enough, Verstappen also asserted in his post-race comments that he would still be complaining about the rules even if he was the man standing on the top step of the podium in China.
While that remains a mystery at this point in time, F1 fans have shared their annoyance over Verstappen’s continual complaints.
Ahead of the weekend’s proceedings in Shanghai, former Red Bull chief Helmut Marko predicted Verstappen to fall back in love with F1 in China due to the circuit layout being one of the more favourable tracks for the Dutchman on the calendar.
It clearly hasn’t had the effect that Marko was wishing for, with it looking highly unlikely for Verstappen to voice some optimism regarding the new regulations anytime soon.
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