Steiner jokes a Canada win would have made Verstappen love 2026 rules

The four-time world champion is coming off his first podium finish of the season in Montreal, secured after an intense battle with Lewis Hamilton, who snatched second place away from him in the closing stages of the race. However, Verstappen also reignited speculation about his Formula 1 future over the Canadian GP weekend, once again hinting at the possibility of walking away from the sport by admitting that continuing under the current circumstances is becoming increasingly difficult from a mental standpoint.

Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner joked that Verstappen's view of the 2026 regulations might have been considerably more positive had the Red Bull driver converted his strong weekend in Montreal into a victory rather than a podium finish. The former Haas team principal suggested that Verstappen's continued criticism of the upcoming rules package is part of a wider effort to push for changes to the power unit regulations.

Steiner ultimately argued that much of the debate surrounding the future regulations revolves around keeping Verstappen satisfied, claiming that any changes would not only give teams another chance to improve their position but could also help address some of the Dutchman's concerns about Formula 1's direction.

The former F1 driver questioned the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's long-term future. He pointed to the mixed messages coming from the four-time world champion, noting that Verstappen has alternated between expressing confidence in his situation and hinting that his enthusiasm could fade if current issues persist. According to him, both Verstappen and Red Bull would benefit from reaching a clear decision sooner rather than later so that everyone can focus fully on the future.