Ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner, never one to mince words, has taken aim at his former rivals, Christian Horner and Toto Wolff, critiquing their approaches and current struggles in Formula 1. Since departing Haas in January, Steiner has maintained his place as one of F1’s most outspoken personalities, now presenting for RTL and engaging in various promotional activities.
Steiner, known for his blunt opinions, didn’t hold back as he reflected on his time in the paddock with two of F1’s most successful Team Principals. Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, both titans of the sport, have led their teams through dominant periods, but their methods are famously distinct. Steiner made it clear which of the two grated on his nerves the most.
When asked who was more irritating during their time at the top, Steiner responded candidly. “Who was more annoying on top? I would say Christian! It came with too much drama,” he remarked on the Red Flags podcast. He contrasted this with Wolff’s demeanor, stating, “There was never really any drama with Toto – ‘we are winning because we are the best!’”
Despite his preference for Wolff’s style during Mercedes’ dominant era from 2014 to 2020, Steiner was critical of Mercedes’ current struggles. Despite winning three races in 2024, the German team finds itself in a mid-field limbo, unable to challenge Ferrari ahead while comfortably leading Aston Martin behind in the Constructors’ Championship. Steiner’s assessment of Mercedes was harsh: he described the team as “lost” and took a swipe at their tire management woes, which have become a recurring issue.
He didn’t hold back in addressing George Russell’s ongoing complaints about Pirelli’s tires. “The comments from George are always the same – ‘the tyre doesn’t work’. Yeah, if your car isn’t good, the tyre doesn’t work! I’m sorry. I was there before and it’s not something new,” Steiner stated, referencing his own experience at Haas. “If you don’t know who to blame, just blame Pirelli! It’s straightforward!”
Steiner acknowledged Mercedes’ occasional strong performances but highlighted their inconsistency. “They had a few races where they were very good and they surprised me. But then they lost it again. It’s very up and down,” he concluded, pointing to Mercedes’ unpredictable form and lack of clarity in resolving their issues.
The former Haas boss’s comments underscore his no-nonsense approach and his willingness to speak his mind, regardless of his opponents’ stature. As F1 continues to evolve, Steiner remains a vocal and influential presence, unafraid to critique even the sport’s most successful figures.
