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Max Verstappen scolded for 'throwing toys out of the pram' over 2026 F1 rules

Photo: Race Pictures

F1 News

17:00, 16 Mar

Updated: 17:24, 16 Mar

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byHenry Eccles

Henry joined GPblog as a freelance F1 writer in 2026 after achieving a Distinction in his MA Sports Journalism studies at Liverpool John Moores University. He also completed the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, achieving Gold Standard.

Henry has a First Class Degree in History and Spanish at Queen’s University Belfast, and after taking a year to work in Spain, he finally decided to take a chance and start a career in sports media, with a particular passion for Formula 1 after covering the 2025 season.

Max Verstappen has been accused of 'throwing the toys out of the pram' by former Haas boss Guenther Steiner following the Dutchman's criticism of the 2026 F1 rules.

Verstappen's disdain for the 2026 regulations is well-known by this point. At Bahrain testing, the four-time world champion claimed they were "anti-racing" and "Formula E on steroids," and his criticism has only grown harsher upon the season start.

Capping off a poor race weekend in Shanghai, mostly battling traditional midfield competitors, Verstappen retired on Lap 45 of the Chinese GP with an ERS failure, before launching another scathing criticism of F1's new 'Mario Kart' rules.

Verstappen 'throws his toys out the pram,' says Steiner

Photo: Race Pictures.

For Steiner, however, Verstappen's criticism is mostly down to the fact the Dutchman is not competing at the front, emphasising his belief that the Red Bull driver "throws the toys out the pram" if things aren't going his way.

Speaking to Talksport, he said: "Max is not happy because his car is not where he likes it to be.

"But we need to be fair because Red Bull did their own power unit for the first time, and 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 doing.

"Sometimes, as you said, Max throws the toys out of the pram quite quickly if things don't go his way."

The former Haas team principal's attention turned to the 2026 racing more generally, sharing his belief that the sport will continue to develop on what has been a "pretty good" start already.

"The racing was pretty good, obviously, people like Max maybe don't like change, and he's not used to not being in one of the best cars, so that doesn't help his mood to like the new regulations.

"I think they are actually pretty good. They will develop over time. All the teams are just learning at the moment what is going on, because it's an advanced technology.

"But the racing was good, and that's the most important thing."

Two fixes proposed to address Verstappen’s frustration

Elsewhere, in a column published in The Telegraph, F1 technical expert Gary Anderson said he fully agreed with Verstappen’s perspective, arguing that changes are needed both in the short and long term.

Anderson believes F1 is shifting too far towards entertainment, and so has offered two potential fixes to steer the sport into the right direction.

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