Ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner has attacked his Red Bull and Mercedes counterparts over their attitude during their dominant years and on-track struggles in Formula 1.
Since leaving Haas in January, Steiner has consolidated his reputation as one of F1’s most beloved personalities by presenting for RTL and taking part in other promotional work.
Never one to hold back his opinion, Christian Horner and Toto Wolff became the latest targets in the Italian’s crosshairs as he reflected on sharing the paddock with the two titans of F1.
The Team Principals of Red Bull and Mercedes, respectively, have enjoyed massive success, but both have famously different ways of operating, with Steiner bluntly highlighting these.
Steiner expressed that Horner always seemed to have drama following him while praising his other rival’s attitude during the ultra-dominant years of 2014-2020.
“Who was more annoying on top? I would say Christian! It came with too much drama,” Steiner said on the Red Flags podcast.
“There was never really any drama with Toto – ‘we are winning because we are the best!’”
Mercedes form leaving a lot to be desired
However, Steiner was more critical of Mercedes’ current form and its inability to get a grip on tyre management as the team’s competitiveness continues to fluctuate.
Despite winning three races in 2024, Mercedes finds itself in no-mans-land in the Constructors’ Championship, cut off from Ferrari in front but significantly ahead of Aston Martin.
He described the team as “lost”, and attacked George Russell’s complaints about Pirelli’s tyre operating window, admitting surprise at Mercedes’ dramatic decline.
“I wouldn’t say they were good, they are a little bit lost in what they are doing,” he reflected.
“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.
“If you don’t know who to blame, just blame Pirelli! It’s straightforward!
“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.
