Guenther Steiner accuses Lewis Hamilton of ‘stirring things up’ with recent F1 rules comments
· Yahoo Sports
Lewis Hamilton remains supportive of the new F1 regulations heading into the Japanese Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen’s criticism hasn’t eased up. But Guenther Steiner thinks both drivers are just looking to create a bit of noise.
The latest rule changes have split opinions across the grid. Some believe that putting more focus on electrical power will bring something fresh to the sport, while others would rather see a return to full combustion engines.
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Verstappen has made it clear he’s not enjoying Red Bull’s 2026 car, and his complaints haven’t let up. In contrast, Hamilton seems energised by Ferrari’s new direction since the end of the ground-effect era.
There has been no shortage of speculation around why Verstappen has become so vocal this season, compared to past years when Red Bull had a firm grip on the championship.
Guenther Steiner believes Hamilton’s F1 rules comments are designed to ‘stir things up’
Hamilton was asked about the new rules during his media duties ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
After his battle with Charles Leclerc for the final podium spot in China, Hamilton said he was pleased with how the new regulations have promoted closer racing.
Speaking at Suzuka, Hamilton compared Formula 1 to karting, calling it “real racing,” while Verstappen continued to express concerns over where the sport is heading.
Steiner then noted that Verstappen’s perspective could change if Red Bull return to their previous level of performance. “If Verstappen is back at the front, he’ll probably assess the rules differently,” he added.
Some doubts remain over Hamilton’s backing of F1’s 2026 rules
Not everyone shares Hamilton’s view on the new regulations, and that includes some familiar voices from his past title battles.
F1 analyst Karun Chandhok took issue with Hamilton’s karting comparison, pointing out that Formula 1 isn’t a spec series like karting often is, so drawing direct parallels doesn’t quite fit.
Hamilton’s positive outlook may well be linked to how comfortable he feels in the SF-26. After securing his first podium for Ferrari in Shanghai, attention now turns to when he might claim his first win for the team.
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