Jos Verstappen Dismisses Steiner’s Claims on 2026 F1 Regulations

Jos Verstappen has publicly challenged former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner following comments that characterised Max Verstappen’s opposition to the 2026 Formula One engine regulations as politically motivated. The exchange occurred on the social media platform X, marking a public escalation in the ongoing debate regarding the technical framework for the upcoming season.

Steiner, who currently serves as an analyst and the chief executive of the Tech3 MotoGP team, made the remarks during an appearance on the Red Flags Podcast. He suggested that the four-time world champion’s criticism stemmed from frustration over a perceived reduction in race dominance, implying that Max Verstappen would have been satisfied with the rules had he continued to win every weekend.

The former Haas principal further argued that the driver’s media narrative constituted a calculated attempt to pressure the FIA into altering the regulations to suit Red Bull’s interests. Steiner’s assessment framed the technical concerns as a strategic manoeuvre rather than a genuine engineering critique.

Jos Verstappen responded directly to a quote graphic of Steiner’s comments with a concise rebuttal. “Hi Guenther. I understand why you not a F1 team boss anymore. The way you talk,” he wrote, referencing Steiner’s departure from his role at the Haas team. The comment served as a direct challenge to Steiner’s credibility and standing within the sport’s hierarchy.

Support for Max Verstappen’s position was also voiced by driver Dani Juncadella, who shares a GT3 car with the Red Bull driver for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Juncadella highlighted that Max had identified fundamental flaws in the new rules since the early simulator days in 2023, questioning why Steiner, in his current capacity, would dismiss these long-standing technical warnings.

Max Verstappen has previously described the new power units as comparable to “Formula E on steroids” and “Mario Kart”, underscoring his dissatisfaction with the direction of the regulations. The public nature of this dispute highlights the significant political tension surrounding the FIA’s technical directives as the 2026 season approaches.

The involvement of multiple figures, including drivers and former team principals, indicates that the debate over the 2026 engine regulations has moved beyond private boardroom discussions into the public domain. The exchange suggests that the technical and political divisions within the sport remain deeply entrenched.