Former Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner has voiced his frustration with the current power dynamics in Formula 1, highlighting how the sport is often influenced by the top three teams—Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull—leaving smaller teams without much say in key decisions. According to Steiner, these dominant teams exert disproportionate control over matters related to the sport, particularly in commercial and strategic decisions.
Since the start of the V6 Hybrid era, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull have enjoyed significant success and influence in F1. Ferrari, as the sport’s longest-standing team, enjoys heritage bonuses and veto power, while Mercedes and Red Bull have established themselves as consistent frontrunners over the last decade. This has led to these three teams often being the key players in shaping the direction of the sport, sidelining smaller outfits like Haas.
Steiner pointed out this imbalance in decision-making power, explaining that while all teams can participate in discussions, the real authority lies with the top teams. Smaller teams, he noted, often need to consult higher-ups before making decisions, which puts them at a disadvantage.
“To be honest, only Toto Wolff, Christian Horner, and Fred Vasseur can make decisions. Everyone else, for example in a meeting of the F1 Commission, must call someone to ask what to do. They can talk about how many tires to use on the weekend, but on the commercial side they have no authority because they have someone on top of them,” Steiner explained.
This sentiment echoes concerns raised by other figures in the sport who have criticized the unequal treatment of top teams, often citing Ferrari’s special privileges and the dominance of Mercedes and Red Bull in recent years. However, changing this power dynamic seems unlikely given the legacy, success, and financial clout these teams bring to F1.
In addition to criticizing the power structure in the sport, Steiner also addressed the recent controversy surrounding the FIA’s clampdown on swearing in F1. Steiner sided with Max Verstappen, who was penalized for using the f-word during a press conference in Singapore. The Dutchman has resisted the ruling, and Steiner voiced his support, stating that Verstappen’s comments weren’t directed at anyone and didn’t warrant such a severe reaction.
“Max didn’t swear at anybody. He used the f-word about his car. So nobody got offended by it, in my opinion. But don’t say: If you do, you get a fine, a penalty, whatever. Because you know these guys, they’ve got an ego as well. And they say: I don’t want to do that. And then what do you create? All this controversy for nothing,” Steiner added.
Steiner’s comments reflect a broader frustration within the sport regarding both its governance and its recent attempts to restrict driver behavior. As the conversation around these issues continues, it remains to be seen how F1 will navigate the balance of power and maintain its growing popularity.
