Max Verstappen team-mate jumps to defence after ex-F1 team boss criticism

Max Verstappen's Nürburgring 24 Hours team-mate Dani Juncadella has jumped to the Dutchman's defence following criticism from ex-Haas team principal Guenther Steiner.

Verstappen has strongly criticised the new F1 regulations since the Barcelona shakedown in January, with his stance on the new power units remaining consistent.

The four-time world champion, after five races, has already compared the current F1 rules to both Formula E and Mario Kart, and has hinted that he will leave the sport if changes are not made for 2027.

Even securing his and Red Bull's first podium of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix failed to improve Verstappen's feelings about F1, with him again insisting that change must happen.

His consistent and vocal criticism of the rules has been questioned by Steiner on the Red Flags podcast, who believes that Verstappen would be "very happy" if he were winning.

"Max Verstappen was a little happier because he was on the podium," said Steiner. "If he had won, I'm sure he would have been very happy. And then it would be the best rules ever." 

Steiner later said: "Max had to come out after the race and say, 'I still don't really like them. I kind of like them, but I still want the regulations changed'. That's how his politics are playing to change the engine regs."

The comments by Steiner left Juncadella unimpressed, resulting in the Spaniard taking a shot at the 35-year-old on social media.

"The man has been warning everyone about the new rules since 2023, but the head of the consortium that took over the Tech 3 MotoGP team knows better👍🏼," Juncadella wrote on X.

View Juncadella's post below!