“I understand why you’re not a team boss anymore”: Max Verstappen father blasts Guenther Steiner
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, has launched a pointed critique of Guenther Steiner, the former Haas F1 team principal, over comments Steiner made about the Dutch driver. The exchange has quickly escalated into a broader discussion about Verstappen’s relationship with the sport’s regulations and the politics surrounding Red Bull’s dominance. The clash centers on Steiner’s remarks about Verstappen’s mood following the Canadian Grand Prix and his broader take on the 2026 regulations, with Jos firing back on social media in a sharp public response.
The controversy began after Steiner appeared on The Red Flags Podcast, where he offered a light-hearted yet pointed assessment of Verstappen’s stance toward the evolving Formula 1 rules. Steiner noted that Verstappen seemed happier after standing on the Montreal podium and suggested that, had Verstappen won in Canada, he would have hailed the new regulations as the best ever. The implication, as Steiner presented it, was that Verstappen’s criticism of the 2026 rules might partially reflect the context of his recent race results rather than the intrinsic value of the regulations themselves.
Steiner’s comments did not stop there. He went on to speculate that Verstappen’s ongoing critiques in post-race interviews could be influenced by Red Bull’s political calculations within the sport. Specifically, Steiner argued that Red Bull might worry about other teams catching up if certain adjustments were implemented, which could explain why Verstappen’s feedback has often seemed pointed toward the engines and the technical framework rather than purely performance-driven rationale. The core of Steiner’s argument was that Red Bull would prefer to see changes that maintain or even widen their advantage, ensuring Verstappen remains satisfied with the sport’s direction.
Jos Verstappen did not remain silent in response. On X (formerly Twitter), he directly addressed Steiner, delivering a blunt rebuke that underscored the tension between Steiner’s comments and the Verstappens’ perspective on the sport. In a succinct and pointed post, Jos wrote, “Hi Guenther. I understand why you not a F1 team boss anymore. The way you talk.” The message conveyed a clear sense of frustration and a belief that Steiner’s recent rhetoric was unconstructive and out of step with the realities of F1 management and team leadership. The reply also implicitly questioned Steiner’s insight into the sport’s inner workings, given Steiner’s own history as a team principal.
The broader context of the debate is tied to the ongoing discussions about the 2026 engine regulations and the possibility of ADUO (a hypothetical or cited change concerning engine design or allocation). There has been widespread speculation about whether Red Bull will be eligible for ADUO in the upcoming regulatory window, with various outlets reporting that the Austrian squad’s power unit could be near, or on par with, Mercedes’ performance. Some reports have suggested that Red Bull might be excluded or otherwise constrained from the ADUO process, while others have suggested that the team could meet the eligibility criteria. Laurent Mekies, the former Ferrari and current FIA Formula 1 official, has indicated that there is optimism within Red Bull about qualifying for ADUO, though the situation remains unresolved as the regulatory votes approach.
The discussion around ADUO intersects with the perception of Red Bull’s engineering edge and the potential knock-on effects for the rest of the grid. If, as Steiner implied, the changes are designed in a way that would preserve Red Bull’s relative advantage, it could intensify questions about fairness and parity across teams. Verstappen’s supporters have argued that any adjustments should aim to balance performance while preserving competition and incentivizing ongoing development across teams. Conversely, opponents worry that the adjustments could entrench a dominant position and reduce competitive risk, potentially undermining the sport’s spectacle.
Amid the regulatory chatter, Verstappen’s stance on his long-term future remains closely watched. He has previously indicated that he would consider staying in Formula 1 beyond 2026 if a proposed 60-40 split in favor of the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric power were implemented, effectively maintaining a status quo that would satisfy his expectations for the engine’s performance and the car’s handling. If the 60-40 split does not get approved, Verstappen has threatened to leave the sport, a declaration that would have significant implications for Red Bull and the broader F1 ecosystem. The possibility of Verstappen leaving adds urgency to the debates about engine design, regulation, and competitive balance, as teams and advertisers alike consider the implications of a potential shift in the sport’s dominant force.
Steiner’s remarks about F1 politics and what maximizes Verstappen’s happiness drew attention to the notion that the sport’s decision-making process often centers on the preferences of top teams and star drivers. Steiner suggested that the sport’s leadership and teams may prioritize keeping Verstappen content, arguing that a regulatory environment tailored to his preferences would naturally benefit Red Bull. He contended that any engine changes in 2027—such as a reimagined balance between power unit components—could be structured to advantage Verstappen and his team, provided the changes were implemented in a way that preserved or expanded their lead.
In response to the ongoing chatter, many observers cautioned that public commentary from former team principals can amplify perceived tensions between teams and complicate regulatory negotiations. Others argued that the back-and-forth underscores a broader debate about the sport’s governance, the influence of top teams on rule-making, and the transparency of the process. Regardless of where one stands, the exchange has highlighted how intertwined performance, policy, and personality are in Formula 1’s modern era.
Looking ahead, the fate of the 2026 regulations and potential ADUO developments will continue to shape the dynamic between Verstappen, Red Bull, and rival teams. The sport’s stakeholders will be watching closely as votes approach, with implications for competitive balance, engine development, and the long-term strategic planning of teams across the grid. Verstappen’s future decisions, including any potential extension beyond 2026 depending on regulatory outcomes, will also depend on how these debates evolve and whether the sport’s leadership can foster a balanced environment that rewards innovation while maintaining parity and unpredictability on race day. As the discussion persists, fans and analysts alike will be paying particular attention to how public discourse among former team principals translates into tangible policy changes within Formula 1