Guenther Steiner warns Red Bull ‘unhappy’ Max Verstappen could be difficult to manage

Guenther Steiner anticipates that Max Verstappen wouldn't be too happy with Red Bull's continued performance struggles in 2025.

Guenther Steiner warns Red Bull ‘unhappy’ Max Verstappen could be difficult to manage

Guenther Steiner (via IMAGO), Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Red Bull’s performance struggles in the RB20 seemed to have crept up in the 2025 challenger as well. Milton Keynes was evidently not the fastest car during the pre-season test. Max Verstappen had already accepted the situation and aimed to give it his best. Sacked F1 boss Guenther Steiner believes that it wouldn’t take long until Verstappen becomes unhappy with the Austrian constructor.

Max Verstappen put forth some impressive results in a mediocre RB21 chassis despite it not being the fastest on the grid. Red Bull’s Technical Director Pierre Wache also admitted that the challenger did not respond as expected in Bahrain. Guenther Steiner recalled the 2024 season when Verstappen started becoming aggressive due to performance issues.

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I would say last year, when he started not to win, he reacted, pretty aggressively. But then at some stage, I think he realised, ‘I need to be smart about this and just take home as many points as I can, even if I’m not winning a race’.

Guenther Steiner told CNN.

Steiner anticipates that Verstappen will get very hard to manage if he doesn’t have a capable enough challenger. Moreover, the Dutchman is vocal about the issues in the chassis and doesn’t hold himself back from criticizing the car. The 59-year-old further asserted that the reigning champion being unhappy would not be good for the team.

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But for sure, if he hasn’t got a good car where he can win, he will get very difficult to manage as well, I would say, because he will be vocal about it that he’s not happy. And an unhappy Max is not a nice Max, as we all know.

Guenther Steiner added

Guenther Steiner advises Max Verstappen to ‘stay calm’ amidst Red Bull’s struggles

Max Verstappen must remain under control and aim not to commit any mistakes to strengthen his winning chances. Guenther Steiner advises the 27-year-old to stay calm and not give up after just two races if they do not go his way. Steiner insisted that the team would work hard to get back to an ideal position if not competitive from the get-go.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

To stay calm, but don’t throw the toys out of the pram after two races if it doesn’t go your way. If it is not in our way, in the beginning of the season, we need to work hard to get back where we want to be.

Guenther Steiner noted

Red Bull might not be able to contend for the constructors’ title at all this year, especially due to the massive personnel change. Milton Keynes, despite dominating a majority of the ground-effect era faces a dire situation heading into the final edition. Hence, time will tell about how Verstappen copes with the incessant performance struggles in the team.