Former Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner has played down Max Verstappen’s complaints over the new 2026 cars.
The challengers have gone through a significant shift this year with major changes made to the aerodynamics and the power units.
However, Verstappen voiced his disappointment over how the cars now need to be driven, with a greater emphasis on managing the battery.
The four-time champion labelled the new rules as “anti-racing” and cast fresh doubt over his F1 future.
But Steiner thinks Verstappen will change his tone if he gets another championship-contending car underneath him.
“He will be happy enough to fight for the world championship title,” Steiner told RTL. “That’s what he wants, and he’s the best driver at the moment.
“As a driver, you have to rethink things with this new energy recovery system and come up with a whole new strategy.
“It’s just different. We humans don’t like big changes. But as soon as he starts winning, he’ll be happy with the car.”
However, with many drivers longing for a return to a full combustion engine formula, Steiner conceded that he understands why Verstappen is opposed to the new cars.
“I understand Max’s criticism because there’s such a big change,” he said. “And we know Max is a racer. He’d prefer to drive with a V10 or V12 engine – like in the old days.
“But Max is also a racing driver who can be fast anywhere. And as soon as he understands again that he can win something, he’ll get used to the new technology.”