While Verstappen claims there is something fundamentally wrong with current Formula 1, Steiner has a different viewpoint. According to the former Haas team boss, the problems lie in specific parts of the regulations that need to be adjusted, not in the entire concept. “I wouldn’t say it’s fundamentally wrong; I would phrase it differently. There are things that need to be looked at and resolved,” he says.
Steiner sees need for adjustments in F1
The first races of the 2026 season were still entertaining, according to Steiner, but that effect could quickly fade if the current situation persists. “It was exciting in the first one or two races, but if you have this all year, it becomes too much. Then there will be too much criticism,” explains the co-owner and CEO of the MotoGP team Tech3 KTM.
According to Steiner, the solution – as is usually the case – lies with the sport itself, which he says has often shown in the past that it can move quickly. “Formula 1 has always been good at responding to challenges, whether they’re technical or otherwise. I think they will come up with a solution, and I hope they will come up with a solution for what is being criticised now,” he continues.
Steiner finds the Mario Kart comparison by Verstappen and others unnecessary
Photo: Race Pictures
The core of the issue, according to the Italian, lies in energy management, which has also been heavily criticised by the drivers. “Basically, it’s about how you deploy energy and how you recover energy. That’s what it comes down to,” says Steiner, who also feels it’s unnecessary for some drivers to be particularly outspoken in their criticism.
“We can talk about Mario Kart and things like that, but it’s better to remain professional and say it’s about recovering and using electrical energy. That’s what needs to be addressed, because in that area, the sport has become too complicated.”
The solution, according to the former F1 team boss, should primarily focus on the driving experience. “They need to be smart and find ways to change it so that drivers are happy again and can drive the cars the way they want, as much as possible at full power, whatever that power may be,” says Steiner, who makes it clear that absolute figures are less important than consistency.
“Even if you have a hundred horsepower less, but everyone has that consistently, then no one will really notice the difference. These cars are still immensely powerful.”
In addition to the aforementioned changes, peak super-clipping power will be increased to 350kW to shorten its duration. In the race, there will also be a limit on the extra boost to reduce sudden speed differences, while deployment of the electrical system will be scaled back on parts of the circuit.
In the same conversation with GPblog, Steiner said he does not expect Verstappen to leave Formula 1 in the short term. However, he considers a possible departure from Red Bull to be possible. Although Verstappen is often linked to Mercedes, Steiner does not think the Dutchman will move to Toto Wolff’s team next year.